When Formula E first hit the scene in 2014, it was more or less a spec racing series with a field of identical electric racers vying for victory. (Well, that and a weird soundtrack.) This year, a rule change brings more excitement by allowing teams to design their own cars and drive system rather than use an off-the-shelf, shared format. Late last year, Jaguar made it clear it planned to enter Formula E, and now it has formally debuted its factory-backed I-type 1 race car.
Jaguar?s car is not entirely its own?we previously reported that the chassis is provided by Dallara, and the batteries remain spec components?but the drive system is unique. Panasonic has signed on as a title electronics partner (it already provides Jaguar production vehicles? head-up displays), and Williams will provide engineering support as well. The racing team behind the car, then, is called Panasonic Jaguar Racing. So far, details on the I-type 1?s motor, electronics, and battery are being kept close to Jaguar?s corporate chest, and Panasonic won?t say what, specifically, it is providing the team beyond technical support and ?technology.? We do know that Jaguar Land Rover is handling the car?s powertrain development, wherever the components came from, although it won?t provide naked images of the back of the car (where that powertrain is) until closer to the start of the 2016?2017 Formula E racing season.
Jaguar joins Renault in furnishing its own Formula E powertrain for its four cars (two per dr...