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Formula E's Next Season Car Unveiled, Looks a Lot like the Roborace Design

The tight restrictions of today's racing competitions mean that all cars eventually end up looking almost the same, leaving us to rely on the livery to set them apart. The Formula E championship took things even further and, much like a mono-marque competition, issued every team with the same car.
Formula E new car 3 photos
Photo: Formula E
Formula E's new carFormula E's new car
However, after two seasons and at least three more planned for the future, the Formula E is preparing to introduce a little margin for individualization. Starting next season (which debuts on October 9 in Hong Kong), the teams will be allowed to modify the vehicles - it's not yet clear to which extent, but we shouldn't expect anything spectacular.

But the images of the new single-seater released yesterday show a promising new look, with a two-tier front wing stealing most of the spotlight. This new feature resembles the designs proposed by Daniel Simon for Formula E's sister competition, Roborace, where the cars will be entirely autonomous. It was much more dramatic there, but it still makes for a unique look that we haven't seen so far.

It appears like the Formula E racers will remain completely open-wheeled, unlike previous design submissions that resembled a mix between Le Mans-style racers and Formula One single seaters. But the tall wing will essentially direct the air over the front wheel, whereas the rear ones are also flanked by aerodynamic elements, so this is as close as something can get to a closed-wheel design without actually doing it.

The power output will remain the same for now at 200 kW, but it will increase to 220 kW for the fourth season, and to 250 kW for the next. But even though they won't develop more power, the cars will most likely still go faster thanks to an improved chassis and a slight drop in weight (of just 8 kilograms/17,6 pounds).

Talking about the new look of the car, the Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said: "Formula E aims to be different, and this new front wing creates a look that's different to every other car out there. I think this is a great addition to our car and further emphasises the fact that this is a modern, forward-thinking championship that is taking a completely different approach to all other racing series."

Sebastien Buemi, the reigning champion, also had something to comment on the visual changes: "I like the look of the new front wing - it looks a little bit more futuristic, and from inside the car you can see the top part of the wing, so visually for the driver there is also a small change. We want Formula E to look different and be different, and the new wing is a good way of showing that. I don't think it will make too big of an impact on aero which isn't in the ethos of this championship - but it's a good way to show visual development heading to Hong Kong for the start of season three."
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About the author: Vlad Mitrache
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"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
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