Cupra Racing: Influencing the Next Generation of Electric Cars

Cupra, the performance brand of Spanish automaker SEAT, is making waves in the world of motorsport. With its recent foray into Formula E, Cupra is not only showcasing its racing prowess but also using the series as a platform to transfer technology and learnings to its electric road cars.

In 2021 and 2022, Cupra secured victory in both eTouring World Cup titles with the Cupra Leon-based eRacer. Building on this success, the brand decided to take on the challenge of Formula E, an electric racing series that has already completed eight seasons and features major global car manufacturers such as DS, Jaguar, Maserati, McLaren, Nissan, and Porsche.

While Cupra faced a difficult debut in Formula E, finishing last among the 11 teams with only six points-scoring finishes throughout the season, senior figures within the company remain optimistic. Cupra motorsport director Xavi Serra expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, stating, “We knew the difficulties of this year, and I think we’ve proved that steadily we’ve been improving during the season. We didn’t expect to be coming here and beat all these big sharks.”

For Cupra, Formula E represents a long-term commitment and an invaluable live laboratory for electric road cars. Werner Tietz, Cupra’s R&D chief, who previously played a key role in Bentley’s electrification program, sees Formula E as an opportunity to learn and apply technologies relevant to electric vehicles.

One area of focus for Cupra is recuperation, the process of harnessing and reusing energy during braking. Tietz explained, “You might ask why we put drum brakes on [electric] road cars; it’s because most of the brake energy goes into recuperation. In Formula E races, [friction brakes] aren’t used [in search of maximum efficiency]. Recuperating all the brake energy is the future, and this is what we’re learning.”

To facilitate this learning process, Cupra has already sent two members of its team to work alongside Formula E engineers, gaining valuable insights into software development. The exchange of information between Cupra’s engine experts and the Formula E team further enhances the brand’s understanding of electric vehicle technology.

Xavi Serra emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “It’s astonishing what we’re learning from here because the [new Gen3 Formula E] car has 600kW of power in terms of recuperation. And we’re really feeling the battery and using this energy for racing. So it’s a real game-changer.”

Tietz believes that Formula E is now more relevant to road car development than Formula 1, which utilizes hybrid powertrains. He explained, “The challenge is the electric car technology, and especially what you can do with artificial intelligence on the software side in the future, how you can steer the car while the car is learning for its whole life and improving the performance of the car. This is what we can only learn in Formula E because electric motorsport is always going to the limit, and then you learn everything you need for road cars.”

Looking ahead, Tietz anticipates significant advancements in battery technology, leading to shorter charging times and increased range in the next five to ten years. These developments could potentially pave the way for longer races and even battery exchange systems for endurance races. Tietz concluded, “It will develop fast, and there are more jumps to expect than in conventional motorsport.”

Cupra’s commitment to motorsport and its involvement in Formula E demonstrate its dedication to pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology. By leveraging the knowledge gained from racing, Cupra aims to enhance the performance and efficiency of its future electric road cars. As the brand continues to evolve and innovate, its motorsport endeavors will undoubtedly shape the next generation of electric vehicles.