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THE RETRO-STYLED DELTA EVO-E RX TO BE PILOTED BY THE LEGENDARY SéBASTIEN LOEB

Published: 2023-06-05 11:47:27 Last Updated: 2023-06-05 12:23:30

Retro-styled modern cars make us quite happy, especially when they look as good as this modern, fully-electric interpretation of the iconic Lancia Delta Evo that goes by the name of the Lancia Delta Evo-e RX. In the name, that last addition of RX tells you that the car has been tuned and set up to compete in the hugely popular FIA World Rallycross Championship thanks to Special ONE Racing, an outfit borne out of the well-known GCK Motorsport stable. As you can see from the livery, the retrofitted Delta Evo-e RX is based on a model that originally competed at the highest level of international rallying more than three decades ago. A tip of the hat to an unforgettable era in motorsport history. The first of the team’s Delta Evo-e RXs made its competitive debut at Germany’s Nürburgring in November of last year, and the technologically-advanced racecar showed promising pace at the hands of four-time Free Skiing World Champion, Guerlain Chicherit. Special ONE Racing used the data collected to expand to a two-car line-up for 2023 - this was a 3-month process involving more than 2 000 hours of work to build the second chassis. “I find the idea of bringing the Delta back into competition with a similar livery to that of 30 years ago extremely motivating,” explained Chicherit. “At the same time, it puts a lot of pressure on our shoulders, because we refer to the most successful car in the history of rallying – so we can’t afford to miss! We’ve taken the design of the car very far. It’s shorter than the others, which makes it a bit nervous. Depending on the circuit, that could be an advantage or a disadvantage.”

It has been confirmed that the cars that will be piloted by the French duo of Sébastien Loeb and Guerlain Chicherit in World RX over the coming months. Loeb, who is back in rallycross following a 4-year absence, having previously competed in the World RX series from 2016 to 2018, is both cautious and conscious that he and Special ONE Racing are still on a learning curve with the Lancia against rivals that have already have a full season’s racing experience with their own RX1e machinery under their combined belts, and that can make quite when it comes to competition setup. “It’s a very different car from what I’m used to,” the Frenchman admitted. “There’s one engine for the front axle and another for the rear, but there’s no link between the two, no longitudinal shaft. You have to get used to it when you’re driving and find the right settings. On paper, the Delta Evo-e RX looks pretty good – compact with good weight balance. The aim will clearly be to get out in front, even if I can’t say today whether we’ll be able to do that.” Under its vintage-style bodywork, the Delta Evo-e RX houses a 500kW electric powerplant under the bonnet which is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in a ridiculous time of just 1.8 seconds. That’s stupid fast, it’s even quicker than a current Formula 1 car.

Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off just how cool this retro-styled Lancia Evo is, especially at the hands of a competent racing driver. In this case, the competition-ready electric racecar is seen being thrashed around by legendary French rally driver Didier Auriol: Didier Auriol takes the Lancia Delta Evo-e for a spin! 🔥 | GCK

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Article Tags: News Racecar Racing Future Delta Delta Evo-e RX SXdrv Electric Lancia EV World RX