Scalar Performance Unveils Fully Electric Toyota GR86 Racer

Canadian company Scalar Performance chose SEMA to debut the first EV amateur touring racecar that has been approved for competition in the NASA Super Touring Series. The SCR1 is obviously based on the Toyota GR86, but swaps the 2.0-liter engine for an electric powertrain by Hypercraft, combined with a track-focused chassis setup.

According to Brian Bourne, the co-founder of Scalar Performance alongside Joe Fallaise, their goal was to offer a “purist driving experience that requires minimal maintenance and allows the team to focus on course setup and driver development”.

Read: Nissan Bringing Electromod Sunny Truck, 1,300 HP Formula Drift Z, And Other Concepts To SEMA 2022

Starting from the exterior, the SCR1 looks like a proper racecar, retaining the stock body of the Toyota GR86 with extra bits and pieces designed for the track. Those include a prominent splitter, tow straps, a massive rear wing, and a new diffuser covering the area that used to house the exhaust pipes. The EV rides on a new set of 18-inch Enkei alloy wheels shod in Hoosier racing tires. Inside we find an eight-point roll cage by VR3 Engineering, a Sparco racing seat with FIA-approved six-point seatbelts by Safecraft Racing, and SFI safety racing net windows.

RWD With 328 Hp And Battery Juice For 45 Minutes Of Racing

The single 800-Volt electric motor sourced by Hypercraft produces 328 hp (245 kW / 333 PS) and 345 lb-ft (468 Nm) of torque making it more powerful than the stock ICE-powered Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ duo. Those numbers are good for a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration in an estimated 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 165 mph (265 km/h). Power is transmitted to the rear axle with the help of a Torsen limited-slip differential.

The motorsport-grade battery has a capacity of 65kWh, allowing more than 45 minutes of racing between charges. A full charge can be completed in less than 20 minutes when connected to a Level 3 DC fast charger (150 kW), reducing the time in the pits. For safety, the racecar has thermal management and runaway prevention systems, while the battery pack features the Lifeline fire suppression system integrating the Novec 1230 fire protection fluid.

Bespoke Chassis Setup

The company suggests that the SCR1 offers the same feeling as a mid-engined ICE-powered racecar thanks to the similar weight distribution. Speaking of which, the curb weight of the SCR1 is 3,040 lbs (1,379 kg), which translates to an extra 227 lbs (103 kg) over the road-going Toyota GR86. The bespoke suspension by Öhlins was specifically tuned for the SCR1, and the braking system features six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the back.

The SCR1 will be showcased at SEMA 2022 in Las Vegas between November 1st and 4th. The market launch of the EV racecar is scheduled for the summer of 2023 with the Founder Edition that will be limited to 10 units. Each vehicle will feature a numbered plaque and a paint-to-sample roll cage, while the owners will receive support from the engineering team including over-the-air updates.