Electric Touring Car Racing starts mid-2020

Electric Touring Car Racing (ETCR) starts in Barcelona mid-2020, with a series of four races planned – three in various countries still to be planned later in the year.

Hyundai and SEAT subsidiary Cupra have revealed their plans to contest the ETCR, with more expected.

The Hyundai Veloster N ETCR was launched at September’s Frankfurt motor show, with the Cupra-e-Racer recently tested at Barcelona’s Montmelo circuit by Swedish driver Mattias Ekstrom.

The Cupra can do 270km/h (0-200km/h in 8.2 seconds) and maintain up to 500kW peak power for 10 seconds. It has four engines and can recharge in 40 minutes, also using regenerative braking to help restore power.

All cars developed for the ETCR category will use a controlled electric motor, battery and cooling system supplied by the series organisers with car bodies and other parts coming from vehicle makers competing.

More technical freedom is expected in future, a move similar to the development of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship electric single-seater racing which also includes supporting series the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy.

The company developing ETCR, WSC Technology, expects to have a full worldwide ETCR series in 2021 and later include a regional series.