Porsche officially reveal 'real eye-opener' Formula E Gen4 car

Porsche has officially unveiled the car it is developing for the start of Formula E's Gen4 era next season – the 975 RSE – dubbed by Pascal Wehrlein as a "real eye-opener".

The German manufacturer has shown its new car to the world ahead of Tuesday's official Formula E Gen4 launch at the Circuit Paul Ricard, with the first public test set to take place a day later.

Porsche will be present on track, alongside Jaguar and Stellantis in Opel colours, as the all-electric series looks ahead to the huge step set to be taken with its next generation of car.

For Formula E, Gen4 is expected to produce lap times similar to those of a current Formula 2 car, if not quicker, bridging a significant gap.

"The GEN4 shows how far electric vehicles have evolved," said Porsche Motorsport vice president Thomas Laudenbach. 

"When the championship started in 2014, every driver needed two cars per race. One battery alone was not enough to cover the full race distance. Those days are long gone. 

"Since 2024, we have been developing a race car that puts us on the level of Formula 2 cars. EVs are not only catching up with the standards we are used to; their strengths are becoming increasingly evident – on the track and on the road."

According to statistics supplied by Porsche, the Gen4 is expected to have a top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph) and accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–60 mph) in approximately 1.8 seconds.

It will be the fastest-accelerating single-seater on the planet and have a similar top speed to an F2 car, a feat that has been achieved despite the series only starting in 2014.

"The concept remains the same: the regulations force us to maximise the efficiency of our cars in every respect – because that makes us relevant for the road," said team principal Florian Modlinger.

"The races should become even more attractive, as the new cars are considerably faster. The acceleration is impressive, and we expect top speeds of up to 335 km/h. I’m very curious to see how the fans will react."

Porsche's Gen4 timeline

It is widely believed that Porsche's Gen4 development programme is going very smoothly, with both Wehrlein and Nico Müller having been involved in testing.

From Porsche's first Gen4 running at the start of November last year to the start of April, 1,860 kilometres have been completed by the Weissach-based outfit.

For Gen4, manufacturers are responsible for producing operating software, the pulse inverter, electric motor, gearbox, differential, driveshafts, and other drivetrain components on the rear axle, including cooling, carrier, and suspension components.

For the first time, manufacturers must also produce the DC/DC converter, the brake-by-wire system, further electronics and wiring looms, as well as control units for the hydraulic differentials.

Porsche has until October to develop its Gen4 car, with the plan being for its customer team—widely expected to be Cupra Kiro—to test the car before FIA homologation takes place in the autumn.

The car is a real challenge for drivers, but also offers substantial amounts of enjoyment, according to Wehrlein.

"The new Porsche 975 RSE is a really cool race car," said Wehrlein. "The GEN4 is extremely fast and great fun for us drivers. 

"I believe it will be a real eye-opener for many fans and critics. I also like the look of the 975 RSE. The aerodynamics make the car look uncompromising, and our livery for the test runs looks pretty good."

Porsche including both Wehrlein and Müller in its testing programme has allowed its Gen4 car to be tailored to both drivers, a factor which could prove crucially important. 

"The 975 RSE and its competitors are a massive step forward for the sport," said Müller. "I’m a big fan of how aggressively you can drive. 

"Especially in qualifying, when everyone is pushing to the limit, it should be spectacular – particularly because of the strong acceleration out of the corners. I’m glad I was involved in the simulator work from the beginning. 

"Pascal and I share the testing duties. That’s good, because it allows us to tailor the 975 RSE precisely to our needs."