VW e-Up!, e-Beetle Go Racing In Inaugural Mille Miglia Green

One of the most legendary classic car rallies, the Mille Miglia, is turning eco-friendly and the first edition of the event, aptly named the Mille Miglia Green, takes place this weekend.

Like the traditional race, the new one started in Brescia, Italy, on Friday, September 27, continued to Milan on Saturday and will end in Lainate on Sunday. Participants will have to drive around 250 km (155 miles) on the three days, and only electric, hybrid, mild-hybrid and PHEV cars are allowed to participate, as well as vehicles made up to 1990, originally fitted, or retrofitted, with a zero-emission powertrain.

Also Read: VW Bids Farewell To The Beetle By Racing It In The Mille Miglia

Volkswagen has already announced its presence with the updated version of the e-Up!. The electric city car that debuted at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show packs a larger 32.3 kWh battery that gives a range of up to 260 km (161 miles) in the WLTP test cycle. The 83 PS (82 HP / 61 kW) produced by the electric motor enables it to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.9 seconds, 0.5 seconds quicker than before, and up to 130 km/h (81 mph).

Aside from the e-Up!, the German automaker will also race a couple of e-Beetles in the Mille Miglia Green. The cars have been converted to electric power and use a 36.8 kWh lithium-ion battery that feeds an 82 PS (81 HP / 60 kW) electric motor paired to a single-speed gearbox. Tipping the scales at 1,280 kg (2,822 lbs), the e-Beetle goes to 80 km/h (50 mph) in 8 seconds from a standstill and is capable of maxing out at 150 km/h (93 mph).