IAA 2011: Opel Envisions an Affordable Urban Commuter with the RAK e Concept

Not to be outdone by its German counterparts, Opel displayed its vision for a low-cost urban commuter with the two-seater RAK e concept car. According to GM's German subsidiary, the study has "production potential".

The battery-operated vehicle with the exposed wheels is based on a steel space-frame structure beneath a skin of conventional synthetic material.

The reason why Opel avoided the use of exotic materials is to keep the RAK e as affordable as possible. Nevertheless, Opel managed to keep the weight down to just 380kg (837 lbs) or about 80kg (176 lbs) less than VW's NILS concept.

The RAK e measures around three meters long and 1,190mm high and can seat two people, including the driver, in a tandem layout.

Powering the concept is an electric motor that generates a peak output of 49HP (36.5kW) and a continuous 14HP (10.5kW), while energy is drawn from a 5kWh battery. According to the German automaker, after charging the battery for three hours at a cost of about one euro (equal to US$1.37), the experimental vehicle has a range of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles).

The company claims that over an annual 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles), the RAK e’s energy consumption would be 525 kWh, which could be supplied by a five square-meter, 500-Watt solar panel mounted on the roof of the garage.

Opel added that the RAK e has a projected top speed of 120 km/h (75mph) and zero to 100 km/h (62mph) acceleration in less than 13 seconds.

"We want to develop electric vehicles that everyone can afford," said Karl-Friedrich Stracke, Opel CEO, in Frankfurt.

"The range-extending concept of the Ampera demonstrates our leadership in electrification of the automobile, the RAK e experimental vehicle aims to deliver pricing that even younger customers can afford. The RAK e has cool looks and production-potential." Stracke added.

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