Clarios showing high performance Optima Race Battery at IAA
Clarios, a leader in advanced low-voltage battery technologies, is this week showcasing the development of the new Optima Race Battery at IAA Mobility 2025.
The new battery is said to combine lightweight construction, extreme durability, and advanced electronic integration. Clarios says it lays the groundwork for future market introduction through the Optima brand.
At IAA in Munich, the Optima Race Battery is being showcased through a one-of-one Porsche 992 Dakar from the F.A.T. International collection, which, according to Clarios, “exemplifies high performance under demanding conditions” and the capabilities of Optima and Clarios technology.
Weighing just over 4kg, the new Optima Race Battery delivers over 1000A of cranking power and is rated IP69 for dust and water intrusion.
Like all Optima batteries, it offers extreme vibration resistance, ensuring durability in high-impact environments. The integrated Battery Management System (BMS) includes protections for short circuit, over/under voltage, current and temperature, as well as cell balancing, fault and error logging.
A secondary constant 12V power supply supports critical systems, as mandated by FIA regulations. With an operating temperature range of −40°C to +85°C – virtually unheard of for LFP batteries – the Optima Race Battery highlights Clarios’ chemistry-agnostic approach to battery development.
A key differentiator is its advanced CAN communication capability, which enables real-time monitoring of all battery parameters and seamless integration with race vehicle systems. The battery also includes the FIA-required electrical power kill switch.
In endurance races, this functionality allows the vehicle to automatically or manually switch to a secondary battery if the primary fails, ensuring uninterrupted performance.
“The Optima Race Battery reflects our engineering team’s commitment to solving real-world motorsports challenges,” said Federico Morales-Zimmermann, vice president and general manager global OEM customers, products, and engineering at Clarios.
“It’s not just about power — it’s about powering performance and possibility at the highest level and in the most demanding conditions. This customer-inspired development program has united Clarios’ technological expertise with the Optima team’s deep knowledge to deliver a new high-performance solution,” he added.
