Engineer Specializing in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Who Worked at Volkswagen Wants to Revive Gurgel Itaipu E-400, the First Brazilian Electric Car

Written by Valdemar Medeiros

Published on 17/01/2022 at 10:38

Updated on 17/01/2022 at 20:35

Estilo futurista rompia com o padrão retilíneo da Gurgel Fernando Pires/Quatro Rodas

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Former Volkswagen Engineer, Specialist in Electric Vehicles, Is Modernizing the First Brazilian Electric Car, the Gurgel Itaipu E-400, for His Final Project

Well before the arrival of the electric vehicle race, which gained more strength in this decade, the Brazilian factory Gurgel Motores, located in Rio Claro (SP), was already trying to innovate in the Brazilian automotive industry. First, with the prototype of the electric minicar Itaipu, in 1974, which had the capacity to carry two people but was never mass-produced. Soon after, with the Gurgel Itaipu E-400, between the years of 1981 and 1982, becoming the first Brazilian electric car.

First Brazilian Electric Car Becomes a Final Project

*Gurgel Itaipu E-400 Being Remodeled in SENAI’s Final Project – Photo: Reproduction/Mobiauto*

The curious part is that, after 40 years, the Gurgel Itaipu E-400 has become a final project for the Electric and Hybrid Vehicles course at SENAI Conde José Vicente de Azevedo, located in the Ipiranga neighborhood in São Paulo.

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Acquiring more information about the first Brazilian electric car, it was discovered that it had been parked for about 20 years. Thus, the former Volkswagen engineer decided to check out the model, negotiated with the former owner, and pursued all the documentation for the transfer. With everything set, the electric vehicle specialist created a project to present to SENAI. The intention was to modernize the powertrain so that the Gurgel Itaipu E-400 could operate and leave the garage.

According to him, everything started when the vehicle was announced in a classic cars group. “I have always been a classic car enthusiast, I have other models, and the opportunity to buy this Gurgel Itaipu E-400 came up,” says the creator.

Gurgel Itaipu E-400 Gets New Electric Motor and Batteries

All components related to the original motor and battery pack will be replaced with new and updated parts. Thus, in addition to being equipped with a new motor and a more modern battery, the electric car will have greater autonomy and power for daily use.

SENAI agreed with the idea of restoring the Gurgel Itaipu E-400 under these conditions, and the work has begun. The first step was to take the model to the school and plan the phases of the final project, creating a schedule for execution.

The former Volkswagen engineer’s project is still in its early stages and will take about 6 months to be fully completed, which is the time required to complete the course.

Engineer Has Worked on Other Innovative Projects

In addition to changes in the motor and batteries, the Brazilian electric car will feature an updated steering system, disc brakes, among others. According to the Volkswagen engineer, he never stopped to calculate everything.

However, he explains that, in other projects he executed, the batteries alone cost around R$ 60,000. This is not the first time Arrais has worked on projects like this after leaving Volkswagen.

The specialist has already created two electric cars alongside Moura, which were even presented at the Latin American Electric Mobility Exhibition in São Paulo at the end of last year.

Engineer Specializing in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Who Worked at Volkswagen Wants to Revive Gurgel Itaipu E-400, the First Brazilian Electric Car

Former Volkswagen Engineer, Specialist in Electric Vehicles, Is Modernizing the First Brazilian Electric Car, the Gurgel Itaipu E-400, for His Final Project

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