Vauxhall RAK e
Vauxhall had a productive 2012, adding no fewer than three models to its expanding new car range. It’s not just production vehicles that the brand is working on however; a visit to the Vauxhall website reveals some six concept models, one of which – the Cascada – is due to arrive at Vauxhall dealers this year.
Perhaps the most radical concept of the collection is the RAK e, a lightweight, two-seater vehicle that runs on electricity. The car was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and is intended to appeal to younger, tech-savvy drivers who live in urban locations.
The RAK e is battery powered, with a 60-mile range and a top speed of 75mph. It’s designed to use as little energy as possible, making it an attractive choice for those ‘on a very tight budget’.
When the model was unveiled, Autocar reported Vauxhall CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke’s comment that it “has cool looks and production potential”, and the manufacturer website says that the RAK e “has the potential to create a new class of light-weight, zero-emisiions electric vehicles in the UK and Europe.”
Should it make production, the Vauxhall RAK e will rival models such as the Renault Twizy, sporting a similar tandem configuration inside and being made from fully recyclable synthetic material. The concept features a canopy roof that provides an airy feel to the cabin and an adjustable steering wheel and pedals to ensure the driver is comfy. In addition, the front seat, steering column and armrests fold forward automatically to make for easy entry and exit.
There’s no sign of the Vauxhall RAK e making it onto our streets soon, but the manufacturer has left us with a tantalising “Watch this space”.