Formula E today unveiled the third-generation racecar that will compete on street circuits around the world next year. The sport calls this its fastest car yet, as it becomes capable of hitting 322 km/h. The new angular design is smaller in all directions than the outgoing Gen2 car, to make it more capable of racing wheel-to-wheel on the tight street circuits, like Monaco, where the racing series runs. To allow speeds of up to 322 km/h, the new Gen3 car features a new motor that’s capable of putting out 470 hp. Despite the extra power it also weighs just 840 kg, 60 kg less than the outgoing car.
That’s thanks, counterintuitively, to
smaller batteries made possible by improved power regeneration. Gone are the
hydraulic rear brakes, replaced entirely by regenerative brakes. This is also
the first Formula E car with a front 250kW powertrain, which combined with the
rear 350kW unit, raises the regenerative capability to a total of 600kW.
Formula E claims that roughly 40 percent of the energy used in a race will be
generated by braking alone.
Formula E adds that, unlike in other forms
of motorsport, software engineering will be the new developmental battleground
for the teams. Performance upgrades to the Gen3 cars will be delivered as software
updates and uploaded to the advanced operating system built into them. Indeed,
Formula E says that its new battery is made with sustainably sourced materials
and will be recycled at the end of its useful life. The Gen3 cars are made of
recycled carbon fiber, which has helped them reduce their carbon footprint by
10 percent.
The new Formula E car will race next year
for the ninth season of Formula E. Seven automakers have already signed up to
compete, including DS Automobiles, Jaguar, Mahindra Racing, Maserati, NIO 333,
Nissan, Porsche AG.
