The ETCR electric touring car series, set to launch in 2020, will use powertrains produced by a long-time technology provider in the leading international electric single-seater championship, Formula E. ETCR promoter WSC Group has chosen Magelec Propulsion to design, develop, manufacture and supply the inverter, motor and gearbox (IMG) for the series.
Magelec was created in 2014 as a standalone subsidiary of transmission specialist Omni Gear, which was a major technical partner to the Nextev Team China Racing squad that secured the initial Formula E title in 2014-15. Magelec has continued to supply to the championship since, principally to the Nio team, while becoming globally recognized as a provider of electric powertrains to the general automotive market.
Welcoming the new contract with ETCR, Magelec co-founder and CEO Craig Daniel said that the company would use lessons learned in its experience with Formula E to deliver a reliable and powerful drivetrain to the touring car series.
“The team at Magelec Propulsion is delighted to be able to bring our products and electrification expertise to ETCR,” said Daniel. “With the experience and know-how brought together from electric motorsport and on/off highway vehicles, we’re excited to work with the team at WSC Group to continue the progress of electric motorsport and inspire mainstream electric vehicle adoption.”
According to WSC president Marcello Lotti, working with Magelec is a logical step for the ETCR series. “The company’s capabilities speak for themselves – we are proud of this agreement that associates Magelec’s powertrain system with a new and ambitious brand like ETCR,” Lotti said, adding; “We are delighted to work with someone who understands cost control, which is key to successfully growing new forms of motorsport.”
WSC intends that its ETCR concept will follow similar principles to the overall TCR category. Launched in 2014 to the principles of manufacturers producing runs of race cars for race teams to buy and compete with, and following strictly policed technical regulations with a number of specification parts, TCR has become highly successful with a number of series around the globe, topped by the FIA WTCR championship.
The ETCR series will encourage similar diversity among manufacturers, but with all cars using the specified drivetrain produced by Magelec. So far two manufacturers have produced cars for the series – Seat spin-off Cupra launched the prototype Leon ETCR at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, and Hyundai has recently unveiled the Veloster ETCR.
