Breaking: Formula E reveal stunning Gen4 car in major performance step

Formula E has revealed the stunning car it will take into its next era, starting at the end of 2026 – the Gen4. 

The upcoming season, which begins on December 6 in São Paulo, is the last of the current Gen3 era before the new car and regulations cycle begins with Gen4. 

Revealed on Wednesday afternoon, Formula E's new car is a major performance step for the all-electric series, with the Gen4 significantly closing the gap to Formula 1. 

Not only will it feature permanent all-wheel drive (the current Gen3 features temporary all-wheel drive), it will also produce 600 kW of power – equivalent to 815 bhp. 

In addition, in private FIA testing with a mule car, over 200 mph (321 km/h) has been comfortably achieved, with a 210 mph milestone also reported in the paddock.

While the car does have a minimum weight of 1,012 kg, its power output means that 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) will still be possible in around 1.8 seconds, potentially even faster. That is 30% faster than an F1 car. 

For Formula E, it is the biggest step in performance in its history, with the power output doubling from the current car. Its motor efficiency is almost 100%, while it regenerates 40% of its energy – it is also 100% recyclable. 

The full 600 kW will be available in the duel stage of qualifying and when in Attack Mode, otherwise it will run at 450 kW (603 bhp). Gen4 also features 700 kW of regenerative braking.

Bridgestone will also be making its single-seater comeback with the Gen4, having last designed a single-seater tyre for F1 in 2009. 

Gen4 testing

Substantial testing has been conducted by the FIA using a mule Gen4 car, driven by former F1 test driver and former WEC driver James Rossiter.

According to FIA senior circuit sport director Marek Nawarecki, over 8,000 km of running has been completed, equivalent to over an entire Formula E season. 

For the first time, the manufacturers signed up to Gen4 – Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Stellantis and Lola – will start private testing in Monteblanco, Spain, at the end of this week.

"We are very proud to present the innovative GEN4 Formula E single-seater - a car that once again raises the bar in terms of the capabilities of electric technology in motorsport, and underscores just how far the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has come since 2014," said Nawarecki. 

"Ready to race in Season 13, this bold new technical framework supplied by the FIA together with Formula E, will allow OEMs to incorporate and showcase their own road-relevant technologies more than ever before, marking the dawn of a bright new era for Formula E that we have no doubt will be its most exciting and electrifying yet."

For Formula E, it is a significant step, one which makes the first car in the championship's history a distant memory. The first car required a car swap mid-race, due to the battery technology not being able to complete a full race distance. 

Now, the technology has advanced to the extent that the Gen4 is expected to be quicker than a current Formula 2 car, and only a few seconds adrift of an F1 car, despite still running grooved tyres.

"The GEN4 is designed for the pioneers of tomorrow," said Formula E co-founder, Alberto Longo. "The new technical capabilities, from 600kW of power to active all-wheel drive, will test our drivers like never before. 

"It's a car built for wheel to-wheel battles and pure racing action. I’d like to thank our partners at the FIA for their collaboration in this incredible innovation, and we look forward to further collaboration as our manufacturers and teams hone these machines with their performance experts. 

"Together with the FIA, we've created the most challenging Formula E car to master, and we can’t wait to see the incredible racing it will deliver for fans around the world."

View images of the Gen4 below!