Hi Elisa, so you’re the woman who turned the Corsa Electric Rally into a drifting work of art – how did that come about? I was asked whether I could imagine putting my art on a car. It became clear pretty quickly: Let’s do it!
What was the biggest challenge for you in implementing it? My works are mostly created on canvas – or paper, i.e. on one level. When designing the art car, we had to think about the elements of the canvas in a much more spatial way so that the various body parts ultimately form a harmonious overall work. It was also important to me that the structure of the canvas material could also be seen on the car. It should have the actual effect of a work of art for the viewer.
How long did everything take – from the first draft to the finished car? From the initial planning to the finished art car it was around three months.
The message on the side of the vehicle is clear: “We drive our way. We are leaders. We drive with confidence. We drive with tailwind. Because we are many and we are loud. It’s time for a FEMALE DRIVE.”
E[M]POWER! The lettering is emblazoned large on the roof and represents both the electrical power that the E-Cup racer brings to the track and the female power in the field.
Designed in green, white, rose and red, the unconventional “Art Car” brings a breath of fresh air to the field of other Corsa Rally Electric vehicles.
“It’s definitely the fastest piece of art I’ve done so far.”
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The making of the “Opel Corsa Rally Electric designed by Elisa Klinkenberg”.
Short CV
Elsa Klinkenberg started playing tennis at the age of three. She played on the international professional tour and in the German Bundesliga until she was 21. Then a serious injury ended her career. She studied German literature and media studies and started painting watercolors in 2016. Her first works were in the area of landscape painting. In 2019 she wrote a specialist book in the field of nature watercolors/landscape painting, which was published by EMF Verlag and translated into French by VIGOT Verlag in 2020. She became increasingly involved in mixed media studies and deepened her work in the area of acrylic painting. In recent years, her art has been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions and she has worked with well-known international brands. Elisa Klinkenberg lives and works on Berlin’s Müggelsee.
You’ve already let the Corsa Rally Electric carry you around a rally track – fun?So much fun! And addictive potential! I can absolutely understand the enthusiasm for rally sport and am very grateful that I was able to delve deeper into it as part of this collaboration.
Did you have any connection to rallying before? How do you see him today? And especially his heroines? I’ve had a passion for motorsports for a long time. However, I have to admit that rallying wasn’t on my radar before. Which I’m sorry about because it’s a very complex and fascinating sport. I was particularly impressed by the conversations with Cristiana Oprea. As a female rally driver, she is a great inspiration for women in motorsport and beyond. She pursues her path with courage and determination, and I admire that very much. I am very grateful for this collaboration and for the great opportunity to put my art on a car. However, the message behind it is much more meaningful and that together we can make a difference – #E[M]POWER!
The Opel Corsa Rally Electric stands out from the rest of the rally world in terms of battery electrics and its design.
Elisa Klinkenberg took a seat as co-driver alongside driver Cristiana Oprea in the Corsa Rally Electric.
“So much fun! I can absolutely understand the enthusiasm for rallying.”
The Romanian Cristiana Oprea (left) has been competing in the electric rally one-make cup since last year. This season there are a total of three all-women teams.
The future of motorsport is electric – and more diverse
Opel is breaking conventions in motorsport – with the world’s first electric one-make cup as well as with the composition of the participants. In the current season, three women’s teams are competing for places in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup and are making a clear statement to their male competition. “Future-oriented motorsport is not only electric, but also more diverse. With the Art Car we are emphasizing that Opel – even far beyond motorsport – is more electric, more dynamic, more diverse and therefore more progressive than ever before,” says Opel Marketing Director Rebecca Reinermann.
September 2023
Text and photos: Dani Heyne