The Formula E Gen3 racing car was officially launched on schedule on Thursday (28/4), ahead of the Monaco E-Prix this weekend, Saturday (30/4). As previously announced, this Formula E Gen3 race car comes with advantages in terms of power and efficiency, thus making it the “most efficient racing car in the world”.
Improving performance and efficiency has indeed been the main focus that Formula E has pursued, since its inception in developing the Gen3 race car.
But by naked eye, big changes are also seen in terms of the car design that will be used in the 2022 racing season.
Most notable is the absence of wheel covers at the front and rear, thus making this Gen3 a true open-wheel racing car. Additionally, the individual wings above the rear wheels have also been removed, replacing two jet-like fins in that section. This is to present an aerodynamic shape inspired by the F-18 fighter aircraft
The removal of some of these parts, makes the Gen3 much lighter and smaller than its predecessor Gen2. So that Formula E hopes to present a more entertaining race for the audience, with faster and agile cars for dueling wheel-to-wheel racing.
“The Gen3 is a creature designed for its habitat: racing the city streets in wheel-to-wheel combat,” Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle said in a statement.
Furthermore, Reigle said that the Gen3 is the most powerful, lightest and fastest racing car to date. At the same time it is proof that high performance, efficiency, and sustainability can be packaged together without compromise.
He did not hesitate to say that because in terms of power, this Gen3 electric motor can generate power up to 350kW (470BHP) and is able to reach a top speed of 200MPH (320 km/hour). What’s more, the power-to-weight ratio of the Gen3 is also twice as efficient as the output of a car with a comparable internal combustion engine (ICE). So that it is able to outperform the average speed of a Formula 1 car which only ranges from 220 to 230 MPH on the circuit track.
As for the efficiency of the motor, Formula E says the Gen3 electric power unit can convert more than 90% of its energy into mechanical power, which is also about 40% superior to ICE motors.
Efficiency also comes from the ability of Gen3 which will not only rely on the battery as its power source. But it also relies on the energy generated by regenerative braking, which contributes about 40% of the total power used during the race.
In addition, the Gen3 is also the first Formula car with front and rear powertrains, which can add power to a total of 600kW (250kW at the front and 350kW at the rear). It is also the first Formula car to not be equipped with hydraulic rear brakes, due to the addition of a front powertrain and regenerative output.
ROKiT Venturi Racing racer Edoardo Mortara said the addition of the two powertrains could be a challenge for him as a racer. Because inevitably he has to make him have a new driving style and racing strategy, different from when driving a Gen2 car.
But whatever it is, as a racer he admits that he is always very excited to welcome racing with more competitive cars thanks to higher performance and efficiency.
“With this new Gen3 car, it will be lighter, more powerful and more grip, so it will make (racing) more fun,” Mortara told Engadget.
