Yahoo Autos Sébastien Loeb 's Electric Lancia Delta Looks Perfect
Just ahead of the inaugural race of the 2023 World Rallycross Championship in Portugal this weekend, Special ONE Racing has pulled the cover off its latest all-electric Lancia Delta Evo-e RX racers. Driver Guerlain Chicherit is set to make his return to the car, and will now be joined by the unrivaled Sébastien Loeb for the entire 2023 calendar.
The Lancia Delta Evo-e RX is a hardcore rallycross machine inspired by the Italian rally racers of the 1980s, but it isn’t actually based on a proper Lancia. Under the retro bodywork sits an entirely modern tube chassis and safety structure, completely compliant with current 2023 FIA regulations. The dimensions aren’t quite faithful to the original car, with a wider stance and a more aggressive fascia package on both ends. Power is derived from a pair of electric motors providing all-wheel drive, offering a combined output of 680 horsepower. The EV powertrain allows the Evo-E RX to do 0-60 in just 1.8-seconds, which is significantly faster than a contemporary F1 car. Chicherit’s company, GCK Performance, was responsible for the builds and the car’s entry into the World RX series. Loeb’s car took more than 2000 hours to complete, and is identical to Chicherit’s in every way.
Portugal will mark the first time in four years that Sebastian Loeb has participated in a top-level Rallycross event. The Delta look-alikes are slated to wear Martini liveries for the event, which is a nice nod to the success of the original models. The Delta is actually the most successful car in WRC history, taking home 46 rally victories in the World Championship from 1987-1992. During that same stretch, Lancia would go on to win the constructors title six consecutive times. That feat has never been matched in the history of the sport. While it’d be hard for these cars to match the glory of their forebears, having Sebastian Loeb behind the wheel is not a bad place to start.
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