Formula E has just dropped a game-changer: the Gen4 race car. This beauty boasts an insane 0-60mph time of just 1.8 seconds, making it quicker off the line than a Formula 1 car. Set to hit the tracks in the 2026-27 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Gen4 represents the next big leap in electric vehicle motorsport.
When Formula E kicked off in 2014, it was treated with a degree of skepticism by fans of traditional motorsports. The early model cars were efficient but lacked the speed fans craved, and with the quiet hum of electric motors, many spectators were underwhelmed. Over the past decade, though, the series has transformed from a low-key experiment into a high-stakes, manufacturer-supported competition.
This new Gen4 might just propel electric motorsports beyond the shadows of Formula 1.
A major leap for electric racing
The Gen4 is the most powerful and high-tech vehicle that the Formula E championship has rolled out. With 600kW of power—equivalent to over 815 horsepower—this car boasts fully active all-wheel drive. It also features cutting-edge aerodynamics with two configurations: a high-downforce mode for qualifying and a low-drag setup, known as Attack Mode, for racing.
In Attack Mode, the Gen4 unleashes its full power for thrilling overtakes, while its regenerative braking system can peak at 700kW. Thanks to its efficient energy recovery, around 40% of the car’s race power can be sourced from braking alone. The energy capacity has been boosted to 55kWh, allowing for more daring race strategies.
Sustainability at its core
Performance is just one piece of the puzzle. The Gen4 is crafted entirely from recyclable materials, with at least 20% recycled content integrated into its design.
Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, emphasizes that the Gen4 is “far more than just a race car. It stands as a testament to a decade of progress, innovation, and ambition in electric racing.” He describes it as the most challenging and sustainable machine Formula E has constructed to date.
Echoing that sentiment, Marek Nawarecki, senior circuit sport director at the FIA, highlighted how the Gen4 “raises the bar” and offers manufacturers more space to showcase relevant road technologies than ever.
Currently, the Gen4 is undergoing testing with teams from the championship, including big names like Porsche, Nissan, Stellantis, Jaguar, and Lola Cars. Each manufacturer will refine the platform according to their unique energy management strategies. Expect to see each team’s distinctive livery give the Gen4 a compelling visual edge.
Will Formula E finally step out of F1’s shadow?
This advancement in technology could be the turning point for Formula E, capturing the attention of a broader audience, particularly those who previously looked down on it.
“Often criticized by racing skeptics, I believe Gen4 is the type of machine that could bring Formula E closer to the mainstream, especially with the significant acceleration,” said Jack Oliver Smith, deputy editor of Motorsport Week. “The fast lap times these cars are poised to achieve, along with the extensive tech that has gone into their design, will surely attract sustainability enthusiasts as well as racing purists who may have dismissed Formula E in the past.”
For a sport often deemed the future of racing, the Gen4 might just be the vehicle that finally brings it into the here and now.
Priyam Gera