Formula E Gen3 Car Breaks Cover

Calum Gill 17:12 28/04/2022

The highly anticipated Gen3 Formula E car broke cover in Monaco on Thursday, and has been described as “a seriously quick and agile racing car” by the only driver to sample the design so far. 

Three-time Le Mans winner Benoit Treluyer has tested the distinctive-looking machine since last October and believes the power delivery and handling of the lighter car will deliver much more dynamic racing in the all-electric world championship. The Gen 3 car will be the first ever formula car with both front and rear powertrains to race internationally and will include a new front powertrain adding 250kW of regeneration to the 350kW powering the car at the rear in the ‘conventional’ propulsion cluster that manufacturers are open to design. The new package will double the regenerative possibility of the present Gen2 car to a total 600kW. The weight of the car is 760kg minus the driver who is added, due to the minimum weight regulation of 80kg in Formula E.

The car will not feature rear hydraulic brakes due to the addition of the front MGU - which is being supplied by the Atieva technology company, part of the Lucid Motors group - and the overall regenerative capability. It is understood that the battery is using pouch formatted cells from the Total SAFT company and is designed and assembled by original tender winners Williams Advanced Engineering, while track support next season will go through the Spark Racing Technologies company that has been the FIA’s single supplier selected through the initial tendering process. WAE completed some primary development of the base model during the tender phase, which involved significant testing and pre-tender submissions via the official FIA brief. An electric motor delivering up to 350kW of power will be capable of a top speed of 200mph, with a power-to-weight ratio that is twice as efficient as an equivalent 470bhp internal combustion engine.

Lighter and smaller than the Gen2 car, the new model has been specifically designed to a shorter wheelbase (3100mm as opposed to 2970mm) and narrower track to ensure more agile racing and less tactical contact opportunities for drivers. The Gen3 car has completed 3500 miles of running, including several simulations of a complete Formula E race day. Manufacturers will start receiving cars next month before embarking on testing programmes. A combined manufacturer test, which was originally earmarked for mid-June, is set to be rescheduled for a date soon to be decided.