Porsche has delivered an update and released imagery of its Gen4 development, with team principal Florian Modlinger deeming Formula E's next era "revolutionary".
The Weissach-based outfit became the third manufacturer to commit to the next era of Formula E back in May 2024, and it has been full steam ahead since then.
Gen4 will be introduced competitively at the beginning of next season, which is expected to get underway in December this year, but private tests have already taken place.
It was present at the first private manufacturers’ Gen4 test last November in Monteblanco and at last month’s second test in Almeria.
Strong progress is being made by the German manufacturer, which, as part of Gen4, now has even more components developed in-house. Development will continue until October, just before pre-season testing.
Currently, Porsche develops in-house its operating software, pulse inverter, electric motor, gearbox, differential, drive shafts, and other drivetrain components on the rear axle, as well as cooling, carrier, and rear suspension components.
With Gen4, it will also develop the DC/DC converter and the brake-by-wire system in-house. A current Formula E Gen3 Evo produces 350 kW of power (470+ bhp); the Gen4 will produce 600 kW (815 bhp).
"With the current car, the efficiency of our drivetrain is over 97 %," said Modlinger. "From the battery to the wheel, less than 3 % of the energy used is lost – close to perfection and a key advantage of electric drive.
"In our development brief for GEN4, alongside further efficiency gains in the drivetrain components, we focused on potential in terms of weight, durability and costs – similar to EVs for the road.
"At the same time, 600 kW represents a 71 % increase in power in Attack Mode. Overall, I believe it is fair to speak of a revolution. Seeing the car on track for the first time with its acceleration was a real pleasure.
"My thanks go to the development team in Flacht for this milestone in the project."
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What do Porsche's drivers think?
So far, Porsche has completed 1,472 km across the two private tests, although it has been working on Gen4 since 2024.
Most of Porsche’s testing and development work has taken place — and continues to take place — at its factory on the simulator to keep costs low.
Testing so far has focused on reliability checks and understanding all the different components, although a shift in focus to performance will take place.
For Pascal Wehrlein, January’s test in Almeria was his first in the Gen4, with the Season 10 world champion left very impressed.
"I was able to drive the new car for the first time in Almería," said Wehrlein. "It is really fast and great fun to drive. Thanks to the new aerodynamics, we are significantly quicker, especially through the faster corners.
"They generate noticeable downforce. Because we have become so efficient over the years, we can finally afford the additional drag. I think GEN4 will be a real eye-opener for many people out there.
"Now it’s about fine-tuning our package as much as possible. I’m glad that Nico [Müller] and I can carry out the test work. That allows us to tailor the GEN4 very well to us as regular drivers."
Alongside Wehrlein, current team-mate Nico Müller has also been heavily involved in Porsche’s Gen4 development, with him highly likely to remain with the outfit next season, particularly due to the introduction of a second Porsche factory outfit.
According to Müller, the style of racing will change "significantly" in Gen4, although he highlighted the great unknown given that next season’s sporting regulations have yet to be released.
"The GEN4 is a real beast – with huge power and traction thanks to the permanent all-wheel drive. You could almost say it feels like a different sport.
"How the car accelerates, how it brakes, how aggressively you can drive when trying to extract a bit more lap time: taken together, it reminds me of the supercars in rallycross.
"The sporting regulations for the new era have not yet been defined, but purely from a technical perspective, the racing is set to change significantly. I’m curious and very much looking forward to the next phase of testing."
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