CUPRA is the first manufacturer to commit to participating in the FIA eTouring Car World Cup this year and has announced a new partnership with Mattias Ekström’s EKS team for the preparation of its cars.
Ekström became the first-ever PURE ETCR champion last year when the series held the first season of all-electric touring car racing.
At the time, the CUPRA cars were run by Hungarian team Zengő Motorsport, with Swede Ekström clinching the title in the season finale at Pau Arnos in France.
For this year, the series has received FIA certification, meaning it has been rebranded to the FIA eTouring Car World Cup, preparing for its first year as an FIA series.
EKS was created by experienced DTM racer Ekström in 2014, initially to compete in rallycross, where the team was successful in clinching the FIA world Rallycross Drivers’ and Teams’ titles in 2016.
After an initial partnership with Audi, more recently EKS has been campaigning fellow Volkswagen-Audi Group brand CUPRA cars, competing in rally raid competition, including this year’s Dakar Rally.
The Swedish team will be responsible for the operation and development of the CUPRA eRacer, which was campaigned in 2021 by Ekström, Mikel Azcona, Jordi Gené and Dániel Nagy.
“Our new partnership with CUPRA marks an exciting time for EKS team, as we enter the world of electric racing,” said Ekström.
“As always, we are in the FIA ETCR all-electric Touring Car World Cup for the win and CUPRA EKS is fully focused on the forthcoming season, with our #GoHardOrGoHome racing philosophy!
“We share the passion of the sport and together we look forward to scoring many more race wins and titles under the CUPRA EKS banner.”
Xavier Gavory, the Series Director for the FIA ETCR eTouring Car World Cup, was pleased to see that CUPRA was once again the first to confirm its involvement in electric touring car competition.
“After the excitement of 2021, it is great news that CUPRA has become the first manufacturer to announce their partner team for the new season, just as they were the first to publicly enter last year,” added Gavory.
“In EKS, CUPRA brings a World Championship-winning team founded by our reigning title winner.
“Mattias Ekström’s status as one of the greatest touring car champions of all time – and certainly one of the most versatile drivers competing at the top level of motorsport – will help enhance awareness of FIA ETCR and electric motorsport on a global scale.”
The 2022 driver line-up for EKS will be announced on April 19.