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SKODA launches first fully electric Rally car

7 July 2021

SKODA Motorsport has developed its first full electric rally car; the Skoda RE-X1 Kreisel, that will make its debt in the Austrian Rally Championship this month.

The car has been developed by SKODA Motorsport, SKODA Austria, battery technology solutions specialist Kreisel Electric and operational partner Baumschlager Rallye & Racin.

Based on a ŠKODA Fabia Rally2 evo bodyshell and powered by an 860 volts system delivering 260 kW peak power, the concept car was homologated by the Austrian Motorsport Federation AMF (ÖAMTC).

“The concept car ŠKODA RE-X1 Kreisel is an exciting combination of traditional and future-orientated technology. We provided our best experience, based on developing already three generations of the rally-going ŠKODA Fabia,” commented Michal Hrabánek, Head of ŠKODA Motorsport. “The concept car offers all the setup possibilities of the latest generation ŠKODA Fabia Rally2 evo, but with a fully electric powertrain and I really believe rally fans will find such a combination truly interesting.”

The Kreisel Electric engineered e-motor delivers a peak power of 260 kW and a maximum torque of 600 Nm; in comparison the ŠKODA Fabia Rally2 evo 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine produces 214 kW and 425 Nm of torque.

With the exception of the drivetrain, the car is based on the well-known ŠKODA Fabia Rally2 evo rally car with some modifications. The suspension has been modified to implement the battery into the car; a major modification of the bodyshell floor was also necessary.

The Kreisel high performance lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 52.5 kWh and provides an electrical tension of 860 Volts. For optimum performance, the battery block is mounted as low as possible in the chassis and liquid-cooled by Shell E-Fluids.

“We are very excited about the cooperation with ŠKODA Motorsport,” says Philipp Kreisel, the company’s Managing Director. “Together we not only share the vision for the sustainable future of motorsports. We as well follow the same strategy of transferring technologies and engineering solutions from racing to road cars.”

Kreisel Electric, from Rainbach, Austria, has also developed a bespoke charging station called CHIMERO, working with 200 kW, to be used during rallies.
The first chassis built by ŠKODA Motorsport is in asphalt spec. However, Baumschlager Rallye & Racing, the project’s partner for the testing programme and future competition activities, has started to put the ŠKODA RE-X1 Kreisel through its paces on gravel as well.

“As a long-time partner of ŠKODA Motorsport in Austrian rallying, we are excited to be part of the innovative project,” commented Max Egger, CEO of ŠKODA Austria. “For us, it’s a matter of heart to help rallying enter a new era. After the very successful launch of the fully electric road car ŠKODA Enyaq iV this is the perfect next step on our way to e-mobility.”

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