Formula E’s GEN4 hits the track in France, charging ahead with record pace and greener racing ambitions.
Just over five months ago, Formula E announced its new GEN4 car. At the time, Sylvain Filippi, managing director and chief technology officer of Envision Racing, told our sister title Air Quality News: ‘We’re accelerating faster than any other race car in the world.’
Today (21st April), Formula E and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) have unveiled the GEN4 in its first on-track demonstration and it appears to live up to those expectations.
During the demonstration, which took place at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France, the car ran against previous generations of Formula E machinery, underlining the step in performance change.
The GEN4 is capable of reaching speeds of more than 335kph and accelerates from 0-100kph in around 1.8 seconds and 200kph in 4.4 seconds.
What’s more, the car delivers 50% more power in race mode than the current GEN3 and around a 10-second-per-lap improvement in qualifying conditions.
In its ATTACK MODE, the car produces up to 600kW of power – a 71% increase on the GEN3 Evo. It is also the only single-seater race car with permanent all-wheel drive.
Jeff Dodds, chief executive of Formula E, said: ‘GEN4 isn’t just a car, it’s a bold declaration of our ambition. Seeing what it can do on track for the first time is a real milestone for Formula E – we are now delivering performance levels that were thought impossible for electric vehicles just five years ago.’
‘This is just the beginning, as its refinement is now in the hands of our manufacturers – Porsche, Jaguar, Stellantis, Nissan, Lola Cars and Mahindra – to push development to even higher limits of performance ahead of its racing debut later this year,’ Dodds added. ‘GEN4 isn’t just an evolution, it’s a step-change in innovation and performance that will redefine motorsport for years to come.’
Alongside achieving top speeds, sustainability remains central to the GEN4 project. It is the worlds first 100% recyclable race car, with at least 20% recycled materials used across key components.
Its tyres are made from 65% natural and recycled materials, including 30% certified natural rubber, while the battery contains no rare earth materials.
H.R. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, said: ‘The new GEN4 Formula E car marks a significant step forward for electric racing, setting a new global benchmark for performance, innovation and sustainability.
‘It is not simply just a fast car, it is a statement of intent about the future of this technology. I am proud that the FIA and its partners in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship are leading this vision.’
The launch comes amid wider changes in motorsport. This year marks the first time Formula 1 has introduced a half-electric power unit.
James Rossiter, a former British racing driver who has led the GEN4 car’s on-track programme alongside the FIA, told The Race that this could work in Formula E’s favour.
‘If I’m perfectly honest, I’m finding the new [F1] rules rather overcomplicated,’ he said.
‘It’s difficult to understand for the fan in terms of the way that F1 managed the deployment over a lap and the regen. I think that’s quite a confusing one. I think that actually if the fans can get their heads around what’s going on in Formula 1, they’re going to fall in love with Formula E because it simplifies that in a beautiful way.’
The GEN4 era will span the next four seasons, beginning later this year, although the 2026/27 calendar has yet to be announced. The current GEN3 Evo era is set to conclude in London, with the E-Prix scheduled for 15–16 August.
Images: Formula E
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