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2011 Opel RAK e-Concept is Definitely Small Car

January 19th, 2012

2011 Opel RAK e-Concept raced back in 1928 at a then insane speed of 140 mph.

FRANKFURT – Thundering drum-and-bass music accompanied the debut of the 2011 Opel RAK e-Concept, pronounced rack-ee, a tiny two-seat electric concept. Opel says it “combines a fighter jet-like fuselage with an advanced drivetrain.” We say it looks a bit weird, what with its exposed rear wheels and super-skinny body. The French automaker’s concept is called the Opel RAK e-Concept, which was derived from the rocket-powered RAK 2 that Adam Opel, the man who founded brand, raced back in 1928 at a then insane speed of 140 mph. Still, the underlying technology is impressive. A lithium-ion battery provides up to 62 miles of range per charge. The car can reach up to 74 mph thanks to an electric motor rated at 49 hp and 43 lb-ft of torque.

The name “RAK e-Concept” recalls the pioneering spirit inspired by Fritz von Opel and his revolutionary rocket-powered car in the last century. In 1928 RAK 2 catapulted the grandson of company-founder Adam Opel to a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph). The “e” not only stands for electric, but also takes up again the idea of ground-breaking experimental vehicles. Weighing only 380 kg (838 lbs.) the 2011 Opel RAK e-Concept is about one third the weight of a modern small car. Peak power output is 36.5 kW/49 hp; 10.5 kW/14 hp is continuously available. The useable battery capacity of 5 kWh enables a range of 100 km (61 miles), which corresponds to fuel consumption of just 0.6 liters (0.16 gallons) of gasoline. Over an annual 10,000 km (6,214 miles) the 2011 Opel RAK e-Concept energy consumption would be 525 kWh. This could be supplied by a five square-meter, 500-Watt solar panel mounted on the roof of the garage.

Roughly nine feet long and only a little over three feet tall, the 2011 Opel RAK e-Concept is definitely small, even for only two passengers. As well, the concept car only weighs a stunning 838 pounds. But the miniature design helps make the RAK e-Concept very efficient as the manufacturer claims a roughly 60 mile journey would cost less than $1.50 in energy costs. But power and speed isn’t what the Opel RAK e-Concept is all about. Whereas other cars tout those things, the concept city car puts a premium on zero emissions and urban mobility. That’s where the RAK e-Concept has the bull by its proverbial horns.