In a first for the sport of rally racing, Austria’s Stohl Racing has debuted an all-electric Peugeot 2007 S2000 rally car that has been approved for competition beginning next year. Using a pair of high-power electric motors, this electric rally car will spin out 544 horsepower and a neck-twisting 650 lb-ft of torque on its way to quiet victory, reports Motorsport Magazin.

Christened the Stohl Rally-E, this will be the first electric rally car allowed to compete against its combustion-powered brethren in an actual racing series. While the 30 kilometer range might be impractical for daily use, it’s just enough to complete each stage of your standard WRC course. But what happens then? Well the small battery, placed between the driver and passenger seat, can be swapped out in as little as five minutes with a fresh battery thanks to a clever trailer-based lift.

It is, however, one of the heavier rally cars, tipping the scales at a hefty 1,500 kgs (about 3,300 lbs), and Stohl had to include a noise warning system for those stupidly brave spectators that tend to crowd the race course. They’ve done the same thing at Pikes Peak, and it takes some of the ferocity and cool factor away from EVs if you ask me (but nobody did).

While Formula E may prohibit battery swapping, the Austrian Rally Championship has no such restrictions. So no, we won’t see the Rally-E competing in the WRC just yet, but this is a big step towards that goal. Now all Stohl Racing has to do is win a few stages to convince competitors electric cars really are the future of rally racing.

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Tags: Essen Motor Show, Peugeot 207 S2000, Rally-E, Stohl Racing

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro A writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs, Chris can be found wrenching or writing- or esle, he’s running, because he’s one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.