THE HEADLINE FEATURE OF THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED NEW GEN3 CAR FOR THE 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is how fast it accelerates down the straights. Th e lessons learned by the technical team over eight years of electric racing have culminated in the world’s fastest, lightest, most powerful and most efficient electric race car ever built, which has 350kW of power and is capable of a lively 320km/h and regenerating a staggering 600kWh of energy.
It’s a one-series design, meaning a team led by Alessandra Ciliberti, the Technical Manager for the championship at the FIA, has developed parts of the car, including its chassis, battery, front powertrain kit (FPK) and tyres, standardised components automakers aren’t allowed to change, encouraging them to focus their eff orts on producing road-relevant EV technologies that meet the difficult tradeoff between performance and reliability.
What does this mean for drivers and manufacturers racing in Formula E?
MORE POWER
Electric motors are substantially more efficient than internal combustion engines (ICES), as they can convert around 95% of the electrical energy into mechanical energy (motion) compared to approximately 40% for ICES.
Regenerative braking produces almost 50% of the energy used within a race. The FPK's function is the opposite of the powertrain at the rear, meaning that instead of transferring power to the wheels, it recovers the vehicle's kinetic energy under braking. The new front powertrain adds 250kW to the 350kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capability of the former Gen2 car to a total of 600kW, enabling it to go faster for longer when the driver accelerates later.
This story is from the April - May 2023 edition of GQ South Africa.
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 April - May 2023 edition of GQ South Africa.
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
I am Legend
For 40 years, Toyota has produced an iconic 4x4. In 2024 it's received a subtle, rejuvenating facelift - and more. The Land Cruiser 76 is made for Africa.
Alternative Investments
We take a look at how alternative investments offer a diverse range of opportunities beyond the traditional, with a particular focus on venture capital
THE HEART OF A CHAMPION
AYABONGA KHAKA IS A RIGHT-ARM medium bowler for South Africa's national cricket team, and earned a national contract with Cricket South Africa in 2018.
THE DEFENDER OF HOUSE
From his debut album Golden Power to the recent hit \"Yes God\", Oscar Mbo is still the king of deep house music. Apart from consistently energising groovists with his beats, he also stands out as the country's most stylish DJ - and a savvy businessman
GOLDEN BOY
With top-charting hits such as \"Adiwele\", \"Sete\" and \"Imithandazo\", Young Stunna is the face of amapiano, and a rising icon. In a remarkably short time, he's carved out his path in the music industry and stands poised to conquer the world
Fierce, Fearless and Flourishing
THESE FIVE REMARKABLE WOMEN LEADING WITH COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND LIMITLESS AMBITION ARE REDEFINING SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN TERMS
DAMIAN WILLEMSE HUMBLE STAR OF SA RUGBY
He's renowned for his skill and versatility - but the legacy of Damian Willemse is built on inspiring others, both on and off the field
The Visionary Curator: Jana Terblanche's Journey in the Art World
Poetic and political this ambitious yet principled art curator challenges the traditional and champions African voices
Non-invasive Cosmetic Treatments Guide
From advanced laser therapies to cutting-edge injectables, these innovative procedures offer effective solutions for smoothing wrinkles, enhancing skin tone, and contouring the body
Lelowhatsgood The Maverick DJ Disrupting Africa's Cultural Landscape
“Demon’s Kiss” put him on the map but there’s more to this Renaissance man than just hit singles.