Manfred Stohl research and development firm (STARD) has been developing an electric rally concept over the last few years in Austria.
The donor car for this STARD project is none other than a converted Peugeot 207 body shell that’s equipped with individual motors at the front and rear axles, batteries that have been designed completely in-house, a single speed gearbox, and a four wheel drive system. This EV is capable of producing an equivalent of 544bhp and 760Nm of torque which is in line with what a rally supercar currently makes.
Tipping the scales at 1250kg, this car can mobilise 90 per cent of its total torque output in just 40 milliseconds from standstill and can run at maximum power for 15 minutes while maxing out at 195kmph. Though there’s no talk about an electric category in either rallying or rallycross, STARD’s rally bred EV complies to FIA rules and makes them ready for any EV category when the situation arises. STARD has funded the research and development for this EV just to be ahead of the game should the opportunity unfold.
“Of course I was sceptical at the beginning when my engineers told me to forget all I knew about a race car’s power delivery. You can’t put it into words – the immediate and continuous torque, without even the smallest ditch from nothing to 195kmph makes you feel like you’re on a giant rubber slingshot to space,” said Stohl.
Currently, the Andros trophy ice racing series which occurs from December to February in the French Alps, is the only one that has an electric category.
Source: Motor1
