WSC Technology, the organisation behind the world’s first electric touring car series, have today confirmed further details about the new E-TCR technical regulations.
The news was announced at the Geneva International Motor Show, where SEAT are displaying their new CUPRA E-TCR car.
The series will be for four or five-door production touring cars, delivering 300 kW of continuous power and 500 kW of maximum power at 12,000 RPM.
Cars will carry a battery capacity of 65 kWh (800v), with the cars featuring a rear-wheel drive, single-gear transmission.
The front suspension will be MacPherson struts, whilst the rear suspension will be of a double wishbone type.
The motor, gearbox, inverters and battery pack will form a common package which will be distributed by WSC Technology and can be fitted to the chassis and shell of other models of cars.
Crucially, this means that existing TCR cars can be retrofitted to conform to the E-TCR regulations.
Whilst no formal racing series has yet been scheduled, WSC Technology plan to organise promotional and media events during 2018 ahead of a planned launch.
“First of all, we wish to thank SEAT for embracing the concept and building the CUPRA e-Racer, which is the first car totally in compliance with the E TCR Technical Regulations,” said WSC Group President Marcello Lotti.
“Why E TCR? Because our Group feels to have a sense of responsibility towards the whole Touring Car racing scene and so consequently could not ignore the trends of developing new technologies. We will be working on the same technical principles that made TCR so successful, with the aim of creating a platform for this new configuration.”
Maurício Slaviero will be heading up WSC Technology for the launch of E-TCR, and admits that taking electric touring car racing forwards represents an exciting new start.
“After spending several years in Touring Car racing, the E TCR project represents for me a fresh and exciting challenge,” said Slaviero. “I’m very much looking forward to developing this new series for electric racing cars.
“We will need to work hard, especially in the start-up phase, but I’m thrilled to be part of TCR’s big family.”
Jaime Puig, CUPRA Director and Head of CUPRA Racing (formerly SEAT Sport), says that the project will force the motorsport world to rethink touring car racing.
“We are delighted to present the CUPRA e-Racer at the Geneva Motor Show,” added Puig. “Developing an entirely new car, with a technology new to us, has been an exciting challenge.
“While we clearly sought externally the specialized competence we needed, we are proud of having achieved this project entirely at CUPRA Racing and of playing a pioneering role in the E TCR concept, just as we did in the TCR process with the SEAT León TCR.
“The new E TCR is a real revolution, which not only will lead to a new breed of racing touring cars but will also challenge the motorsport community to rethink touring car racing completely.”