The Formula E Gen3, also known as Spark Gen3 or simply Gen3, is an electric formula race car designed for use in the FIA Formula E Championship. The car is the successor to the SRT05e, and is constructed by Spark Racing Technology. It is used as the base car for all manufacturers and teams from the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship onwards. The upgraded Gen3 Evo is set to be used from 2024–25 season onwards. It is the first ever Formula E car with all-wheel drive to race internationally.[2]
Development
In July 2020 it was announced that Spark Racing Technology would build the chassis and supply the front axles, Williams Advanced Engineering would supply the batteries, and Hankook would supply all-weather tires that incorporate bio-material and sustainable rubber.[3]
Specifications
The theoretical top speed is 322 km/h (200 mph).[4][5] The battery is also designed to handle "flash-charging" at rates of up to 600 kW,[6] allowing pitstop recharging into the championship for the first time;[7] however, the introduction of fast charging has been delayed due to battery issues persistent throughout testing.[8] The wheelbase is 2,970 mm (117 in) and the weight is 760 kg (1,680 lb) without the allocation of 80 kg for the driver, which brings the weight to 840 kg (1,851.9 lb). The electric motor produces a maximum 350 kw in attack mode and 300 kw in race mode. Because of the new front powertrain the GEN3 car is capable of a regenerative possibility of 600 kw (250 kw at the front and 350 kw at the rear) which doubles the amount of regeneration of the GEN2 car (Spark SRT05e). [9] The power-to-weight ratio is therefore roughly equivalent to a Audi RS5 Turbo DTM.
GENBETA
The GENBETA is a modified version of the Gen3 racecar. It has enhanced battery output, all-wheel drive, softer iON Race tyre compound, and 3D printed front wing endplates, wheel fins and a wind deflector. It has been used to break two different world records.
In January 2024, Reem Al Aboud set a new record for FIAsingle-seater acceleration. She drove the GENBETA from 0-100km/h (0-60mph) in 2.49 seconds, beating the previous benchmark of 2.6 seconds, which was set in a Formula One car.[11]