Augusto Farfus carries out the first tests of the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR

In the movement of 100% electric series, in addition to the Formula E and Extreme E, tourism will be the next major category to move to alternative propulsion modes, under the leadership of WSC, via the regulation ETCR.

A new series which saw Hyundai Motorsport et Augusto Farfus carry out the first real tests on October 19 and 20 in Vallelunga in Italy. The WSC technical department was at the forefront to supervise these runs.

The main focus had been on optimizing the systems control software, including power management, traction control, battery performance and charging, with much-anticipated technical feedback from the Brazilian.

“As the first ETCR car equipped with batteries Williams Advanced Engineering and the complete electronics kit, this was the first chance for us at Hyundai Motorsport, as well as the ETCR suppliers, to start seeing how it all worked together on track, says Farfus.

There is still a lot of work to do, as would be expected after just one test, but the days in Vallelunga were a very positive step.

The Veloster N ETCR is a completely different car from the combustion engine TCR cars. The ETCR car is rear-wheel drive and the electric motors are installed in the middle of the car.

This massively shifts the weight distribution compared to a standard TCR, so you need to make big adjustments to your riding style and settings to get the most out of it.

Like any electric car, acceleration is very, very strong, which I really noticed in some of Vallelunga's slow corners. The ETCR cars will be fun to drive competitively. »

Other sessions, on November 4 and 5, as well as November 27 and 28, are scheduled in Vallelunga with a possibility of seeing the Cupra eRacer and Alfa Romeo Giulia ETCR in action next month in potential future sessions.