Audi presented the Group’s first all-electric race car in Neuburg. The Audi e-Tron FE04 mirrors the company’s transformation from a classic automobile manufacturer to a forward-thinking mobility provider on the race track.
“Audi now becomes the first German automobile manufacturer to compete in Formula E in order to test and advance the development of new technologies for production,” says Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management, Technical Development, Audi AG. “Following quattro, TFSI, TDI, hybrid drive and many other innovations, our first single-seater race car is a portent of our product offensive in the field of electric mobility that we are ringing in with the Audi e-tron in 2018.”
In Formula E, teams and manufacturers are allowed to develop the powertrain consisting of the motor, transmission, parts of the suspension and the respective software. The combination of the motor and transmission is the centrepiece of the Audi e-tron FE04. The engineers primarily focus on designing the motor-generator unit for ever greater efficiency. To transmit the power to the wheels, Audi will use a high-efficiency transmission with only one gear.
“Together with our technology partner Schaeffler, we have developed a completely new powertrain,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “You can immediately tell this by looking at the new carbon housing of the powertrain. The car also sounds different because we’re pursuing new avenues in technology.”
A progressive new livery featuring white, metallic green and black as the basic colours visually distinguishes the Audi e-tronFE04 at first glance clearly from the car in which Lucas di Grassi won the Formula E championship title in July
For the first time in his career, the 33-year-old Brazilian is entering a new season in car number “1”.
Lucas di Grassi’s teammate is youngster Daniel Abt (24). The driver from the Allgäu has been signed as an Audi factory driver. Daniel Abt will be driving car number “66”. His car is with additional red colour markings intended to make it easier for spectators to distinguish it from Di Grassi’s.
Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt formed a strong driver duo in Formula E, which in the 33 races held to date has achieved 24 podiums, six victories and four pole positions. Both are tackling their fourth Formula E season.
The new team principal is Allan McNish. The Scotsman had already accompanied and supported the team at the race tracks throughout the third season. Now the former F1 campaigner and long-standing Audi factory driver is also officially leading the squad.
The Audi e-tron FE04 will make its racing debut at the Formula E season opener in Hong Kong on December 2, 2017
However, the new electric race car will already be seen on the race track in the coming days. This Friday and Saturday, Audi is presenting the FE04 during the E-Mobility Play Days at Red Bull Ring in Austria. Subsequently, from Monday to Thursday, Valencia, Spain, will be the venue of the only official Formula E pre-season tests. Both Audi drivers will be testing there.
Take a 360-degree spin of our new Audi e-tron FE04 #etron #FormulaE #LeagueofPerformance pic.twitter.com/ejFKoItRTG
— Audi Sport (@audisport) September 27, 2017
In July this year, Audi confirmed its takeover of the Abt Schaeffler team, while forming a squad for 2017/2018. Abt and Audi co-operated since the inauguration of the category mid-2014. The car manufacturer let Abt use its name, as well as supporting it technologically.
