Formula E and the FIA have released the first digital images of the next generation car for season five – Gen2. It is a showcase of the futuristic new look of the electric street racing series.
Behold the new ABB FIA Formula E Gen 2 #FormulaE #Gen2 #Season5 pic.twitter.com/ELujYLLJ85
— LUCAS DI GRASSI (@LucasdiGrassi) January 30, 2018
The fully-electric Gen2 car will be in use for the next three seasons
Its competitive debut will be in the 2018/19 championship.
The car visibly represents a new era for Formula E and further distinguishes the series from other categories in motorsport.
This is the first car ever to be created by the governing body for motorsport, with the FIA bringing together the world’s leading designers and engineers to work on the concept. The common package of specification parts will be homologated and built by the competing manufacturers to house their own bespoke powertrain.
The new car demonstrates a step-up in performance from the current iteration with almost double the energy storage capacity and double the range, meaning the teams and drivers will complete a full race distance at higher speeds without making a mid-race car swap. The Gen2 car is clear proof of the advancements in battery and electric motor technology achieved in the space of only four years.
Formula E and FIA will reveal the physical model and technical specifications at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6.
FIA President Jean Todt said:
“These are very exciting times for Formula E. Today we show for the first time the design of the next generation car, and I’m sure that everyone will be very excited by how futuristic and advanced it is. I’m very proud that the FIA has been at the forefront of this car’s development, it’s something new for the Federation, and the project has been a huge success. I can’t wait to take the covers off the real car for the first time in Geneva on March 6.”
Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said:
“This car represents the future of racing. When we started Formula E, our goal was to break the mould and challenge the status quo. This next generation car represents that revolution. The cars will be faster and will have almost double the amount of energy storage capacity and double the range, demonstrating the continuous evolution of battery technology. Together with the FIA, we’ve achieved a great milestone with the introduction of this car. And I can’t wait to see it on track.
Kapow!! ? ⚡️ ‘Straight outta Gotham’ ? #Gen2 #FIA #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/XlyBQUEBLR
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) January 30, 2018
Formula E exists since 2012 – its first season was 2013/2014. Currently, 10 teams participate in the championship as each has two drivers. Nelson Piquet Jr. was the inaugural champion, followed by Sebastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi. Meanwhile, the Renault e.DAMS team won all three constructors’ crowns.
Recently there was a strong interest towards the series. Audi already transformed the Abt Schaeffler team in a factory effort of the Ingolstadt company. BMW will join for the fifth season, while Mercedes-Benz and Porsche will become a part of the championship a year later.
Season 4 started last December in Hong Kong where Sam Bird and Felix Rosenqvist took victories. The Mahindra driver triumphed also in Marrakesh. The third round is in Santiago (Chile) this weekend, while in March there will be two races – in Mexico and Punta del Este.
