The look of Formula E’s race car for season five?the full second-generation version of this racer?has been revealed. Seeing it colors in more hints and details at how this all-electric racing series will evolve into the new season, which starts late this year, although the series hasn?t yet revealed many of the technical details for the car, which will make its official debut at the Geneva auto show in March.
Formula E started out as a geeky counter to Formula 1?the sort of motor racing that might appeal only to electrical engineers, Tesla owners, or slot-car racers. The series remains as geeky as ever; but with strong attendance, healthy competition, and mammoth investment (if not profitability quite yet), it has come a long way in just 36 races to date, with 43 scheduled by the end of the current (fourth) season. Yet with the entrance of legendary names?Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche will all soon be involved, with the latter leaving behind its winning streak in Le Mans racing in favor of Formula E this year?it?s here to stay.
Each season has brought about some significant evolution in the technical realm. Season one started with an eMotor supplied by McLaren Applied Technologies, plus a Hewland five-speed gearbox attached to the motor housing and a pneumatic paddle-shift system. Drivers only got one dedicated powertrain, and it had to last the full season. It got a lot more interesting in season two, when it was left up to each team to set up its own...