Electrified at the start: The sixth edition of the NEW MOBILITY RALLYE again focused on vehicles with alternative drives. Whether it’s a pure electric car, a hybrid model or one with a fuel cell – the starting field was again peppered with very different concepts. Cupra competed for the first time this year with the fully electric Cupra Born and wanted to set a visual example with a unique livery. with dr Werner Tietz, Head of Research and Development, and racing driver Jordi Gené were two experienced Cupra greats in the cockpit.
The one-day NEW MOBILITY RALLYE started on September 9th in Walldorf south of Heidelberg and covered around 150 kilometers through the region – primarily the Rhein-Neckar district. Only vehicles with alternative drives are permitted for the rally, which have to prove how future-proof and efficient their technology is in classic special stages and tricky obstacles. The course of the event is similar to many classic car rallies, where it is not about who gets from A to B the fastest, but who solves given tasks at stations along the route as quickly as possible.
With the all-electric Born, Cupra launched a model that impresses above all with its dynamic design and sporty handling. “I’m sure that we can set an example at the event with the Cupra Born. Cupra shows how sporty and attractive e-mobility can be – this will attract attention amidst the many alternative concepts at the rally“, explained Dr. Tietz before the race. In addition, the livery of the Cupra Born should provide a visual highlight: For the NEW MOBILITY RALLYE, the brand had its first fully electric model wrapped in the colors of the Cupra e-Racer from the ETCR racing series.
Jordi Gené is already very familiar with the livery. He is currently driving in the second season for Cupra in the ETCR and shows what the Cupra e-Racer, which was developed for the racetrack, can do. With the visually closer Cupra Born, the Spanish racing driver is now embarking on a new mission. “Of course it makes a difference whether I drive a race car in the ETCR or drive a production car. The Cupra Born has something of both: The performance is very reminiscent of the Cupra e-Racer. So I’m curious to see how well we’ll do on the special stages with it“, says Gene.
Cupra not only claims to offer sustainable mobility. Last year, the Challenger brand presented the Cupra Born, an electric car that offers a lot of driving fun in addition to a sustainable concept. This is also appreciated by Dr. Tietz: “The Cupra Born brings two worlds together. It combines the functional world of e-mobility with emotional sportiness. I am therefore delighted to be able to compete in the New Mobility Rally with this car and to be able to show the industry the potential of fully electric vehicles.“
