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Formula E's second generation car unveiled

Published on 30 Jan 2018 13:18
18
By: Fergal Walsh

Formula E has officially launched the car that will compete in the 2018/19 season and beyond. Major changes have been introduced to the car, with one of the main features being the Halo, a cockpit protection device that will be used in Formula 1 this year.

During the current races, drivers have to switch cars mid-race. However, from season 5 onwards, that will be abolished as the batteries will be managed to last until the end of the race. The front and rear wings of the car have been angled in much more aggressive position.

The rear diffuser has also been enlarged, while the wheel covers have taken inspiration from LMP1. While the car was launched digitally on Tuesday, there will be a formal presentation for the Geneva Motor Show in March. The car will be produced by Spark Racing Technologies, with McLaren Applied Technologies supplying the battery.

Kapow!! ? ⚡️ ‘Straight outta Gotham’ ? #Gen2 #FIA #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/XlyBQUEBLR
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) January 30, 2018

F1todayfan101

Posts: 120

What a fail! Its still 2 foot too long and doesn't have a massively aggressive aero package... Looks like an Indy car ran in to a batmobile.... These cars are just not suitable for small street circuits. They should ditch formula e and make Fiesta E or Supermini E, it would be much more appealing... [Read more]

2
Jan 30 2018 - 15:10

FE News McLaren

Replies (18)

PeteTirtle

Posts: 16
Pig ugly!!!
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- Jan 30 2018 - 14:42
f1dave

Posts: 782
Digitally launched ? It's really just little more than a drawing of a proposed car.
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- Jan 30 2018 - 14:59
F1todayfan101

Posts: 120
What a fail! Its still 2 foot too long and doesn't have a massively aggressive aero package... Looks like an Indy car ran in to a batmobile.... These cars are just not suitable for small street circuits. They should ditch formula e and make Fiesta E or Supermini E, it would be much more appealing to viewers, allow a little bit of contact (BTCC stylee) and be easier for the public to relate to as the future of Sexy EVs... *facepalm*
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- Jan 30 2018 - 15:10
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Looks good, but looks aint all. So what that they'll be able to last a whole distance? That should've been there from the start. And it looks set to be as slow as ever, or even worse, judging from the "manage battery" line. Curiousity will have me watching a few races this year, but it doesnt look like FE will be convincing me of its capabilities any time soon.
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- Jan 30 2018 - 15:42
Twiinzspeed

Posts: 18
I actually think it looks pretty cool. Now, if it only had a real motor...
I hear "If I only had a brain " from wizard of oz in the background. :)
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- Jan 30 2018 - 15:51
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Nah, these cars are more like all brains no brawn. Smart as heck, but it aint liftin' nothin', and you wont see it running a marathon... Like me!
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  Jan 30 2018 - 17:14
JoeGreen84

Posts: 30
Love it. Love everything about it. F1 cars could learn alot from that aero train of thought. Would mean much easier overtaking due to cleaner airflow off the back of the car. Get on board people and stop being so closed minded
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- Jan 30 2018 - 17:48
xoya

Posts: 583
Well I am not sure if Formula E will survive to be the no.1 racing series but I am sure of one thing. One way or the other, we will be watching only electric motorsport at one point in the future.
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- Jan 30 2018 - 17:50
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
I always thought of FE as more F1 and less like prototype cars. For that reason I dislike this concept. However, if the goal is to be more LMP1, prototype-ish kind of cars, then I understand the vision. That being said, I still think this concept is hideous. Maybe it's the poor lighting, the limited view, or the fact that it looks like it was a designed by a 12 year old.
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- Jan 30 2018 - 18:30
Bhurt

Posts: 320
What I love the most about FE is the environmental aspect of it. No pollution. I mean they build these race cars and tyres and everything else without any emissions at all. Then they transport them all over the world and still no emissions of anything. Even the batteries are made from stuff that wasn't dug up out of the ground somewhere to the detriment of the environment.

It really is amazing stuff.
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- Jan 30 2018 - 19:19
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  My 2 cents: their electricity is not pollution free, and biggest issue with fE is ‘racing’. Then again, there is a huge potential.
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  Jan 30 2018 - 20:43
- mbmwe36
  
  Posts: 533
  I know, right? If 20 cars can do so much good stuff for the environment, imagine what 200 would do? They should expand the grid and just save the earth already, is that really too much to ask?
  + 1
  
  Jan 30 2018 - 20:45
- mpm001
  
  Posts: 20
  I understand what you are saying but that's a far stretch still at this point, the electricity stored in the batteries had to come from somewhere, another means of energy making, it may be from carbon emissions. The cars development and build will still have a environmental impact, oil's, machines, chemicals used all have a environmental impact one way or another and were used to make the FE cars, unless they make them by hand there will always be some sort of carbon foot print. The travel from race to race is most likely by truck, plane, car, all have carbon foot print. The people going to the track all have to get there somehow, hence, carbon foot print. In the end the race cars yes don't emit emissions but that is just a small percentage at this point when it comes to the FE series.
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  Jan 31 2018 - 21:53
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  We know. :)
  + 0
  
  Feb 1 2018 - 06:22
FatMike

Posts: 153
Batman called.....he wants his friggin ride back!!!
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- Jan 30 2018 - 23:21
boudy

Posts: 1,168
Not a lot of love here. Looks ok from my point of view. Battery size increasing all sounds good to me. Don't really care about the lack of engine noise. Close racing and independent suppliers. Every year fe is getting better , will there be an crossover to f1? I believe so maybe in 5-10 years.
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- Jan 30 2018 - 23:41
boudy

Posts: 1,168
One more thing noticed that they front tires are enclosed. This will create a lot of action since contact is now lower risk.
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- Jan 30 2018 - 23:44
- Bhurt
  
  Posts: 320
  If they got rid of the cars in FE the racing would only get marginally more boring.
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  Feb 1 2018 - 23:06