Is Jaguar ready to win a Formula E title? The British brand, which boasts such an illustrious heritage in sports car racing (and another it would rather forget in Formula 1), is six years into its campaign in the electric single-seater series. Disappointments have usually outnumbered the race wins, but in Formula E's second season as a full-blown FIA World Championship, Mitch Evans is right in the thick of it after his third victory of the year - the most of anyone - scored in the sweltering Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The New Zealander is well placed to claim Jaguar's first crown at this level since 1991, in the Group C glory days.
LIVING UP TO ITS STATUS
Formula E remains contentious and unloved by too many hardcore racing fans, who are put off by everything from the electric motors' whine to the fiddly street tracks, the perceived lack of speed to the banger-racing style of action.
I will admit that I too have struggled with it in the past, particularly when an obsession with energy management resulted in 'range anxiety racing', as displayed most notably in the Valencia shambles last year, when a bunch of cars were either disqualified or failed to finish when they exceeded their energy allocation. That was so harmful, especially in the series' first year as a World Championship.
But doubters should look again. This year, Formula E is living up to its enhanced status and has moved on with confidence from the undermining loss of Audi and BMW as works teams.
A fairer new qualifying format involving one-on-one duels to decide the top grid slots, lessons learned from the previous energy clangers and circuits that more consistently allow for cleaner racing have resulted in greater sporting authenticity.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal