Mattias Ekström Debuts Behind The Wheel Of The 670 HP Electric Cupra Touring Racer

Cupra’s official driver Mattias Ekström had his first go in his new office for the 2020 season, the 670 HP e-Racer at the Montmelo circuit in Barcelona, Spain.

The new Cupra e-Racer will compete in the inaugural ETCR race series in 2020, against other electric racing cars like the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR.

Despite carrying a 400 kg (881 lbs)battery pack around, Cupra’s electric touring racer is capable of reaching 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in 3.2 seconds (0-124 mph in 8.2) and max out at 167 mph (269 km/h).

Also Read: Hyundai Starts Real-Life Testing Of Electric Veloster N ETCR Racer

The electric powertrain combines four electric motors that deliver a constant 300 kW (402 HP) and peaking at 500 kW (670 HP).

“I think the biggest challenge is getting used to driving with no gearbox and without the roar of the engine as a reference for knowing, for example, how fast to go when taking curves,” said Ekström of Cupra’s new e-Racer.

The 2016 World Rally Cross champion and two-times DTM winner is working closely with Cupra’s engineers to fine-tune one of the first touring electric race cars in the world and compete in the upcoming EV race series.

Following his first laps with the Cupra e-Racer, Ekström added: “It felt really good, especially when reaching full power coming out of the slow corners on the circuit. I still need some time to get used to the sound of the engine; it’s much quieter than any other I’ve driven before, and I’m a very emotional driver. In addition, I have to pay close attention to energy management in each lap; that’s essential with an electric race car, almost as important as its speed.”