Formula E is an interesting sport. While the cars look a lot like Formula One cars, they’re incredibly different machines and the racing itself is just as different. Now, though, new Formula E race cars will pack new styling that will make them look as futuristic as the racing actually is.
The “Gen2” Formula E racing car has just been revealed and it replaces the “Gen1” car after just 36 total races for the series. The Gen2 Formula E Car not only looks better but it also packs double the range and storage capacity, over the current-gen car. According to the FIA, the Gen2 Formula E Car will allow racers to drive at higher speed and complete the race with one car. As of right now, the batteries in Formula E cars only last about 20-30 minutes, so they need to swap cars entirely halfway through the 50-minute race. This new Gen2 car is said to be able to finish the entire race without the need for a mid-raceswap.
That’s remarkably impressive, that in just four years of racing, the technology has advanced so as to double battery life and increase performance. That’s a massive jump in technology in just four years. “This car represents the future of racing,” said Formula E Founder and CEO Alejandro Agag. “When we started Formula E, our goal was to break the mould and challenge the status quo – bringing a revolution to motorsport. This next generation car represents that revolution.”
It also looks damn good. This new Gen2 car looks like something from the future. It has a sort of BAC MONO look to it but even more high-tech. It looks fast, it looks cool and, more importantly, it doesn’t looks like a Formula 1 car, it looks like a Formula E car. And that makes it more special.
Last summer, I had the opportunity to attend a Formula E race in Brooklyn and it was, to my surprise, a lot more fun and exciting than I had previously anticipated. Not only was the event fun in itself, as automakers were there to show off their latest tech and cars, but the actual race was thrilling. There are a lot of jokes make about electric car racing, claiming it to be silent and boring. But they couldn’t be more unfounded, as the actual race was filled with noise and speed. The electric motors screaming at what seemed like a million rpm, the woofing from the tires under heavy braking and he whizzing of the cars flying by with their short area quickness all made for a great combination of noises. It wasn’t as intoxicating of a soundtrack as you’ll hear at an F1 race, not even close. But it was far from boring.
We’re excited to see these new Gen2 Formula E cars in the flesh and at races. They will bring another level of excitement to a growing sport.
