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Automotive

Spark-Renault's Formula E car makes track debut

By Angus MacKenzie
November 23, 2013
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For test purposes, the Spark-Renault SRT_01E used a 50 kW electric motor instead of the 200 kW (270 hp) setup that will be used for actual racing
For test purposes, the Spark-Renault SRT_01E used a 50 kW electric motor instead of the 200 kW (270 hp) setup that will be used for actual racing
Spark-Renault’s SRT_01E will make its Formula E debut against 19 other teams when the season starts up in Beijing next September

In September, the joint venture team of Spark-Renault showed us its all-electric Formula racer, the SRT_01E, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This week the team let the electric racer out on track to the east of Paris, as part of its testing before racing begins in 2014.

For test purposes, the Spark-Renault SRT_01E was powered by a 50 kW electric motor, instead of the 200 kW (270 hp) powerplant the car will use during actual racing. Thrown about for 40 laps by Formula 1 driver Lucas di Grassi, the car received preliminary systems checks over a two-day period at the La Ferté Gaucher track just outside Paris. Teams such as McLaren have been working on their own e-racer since 2012 in preparation for the upcoming season.

“It is a great feeling to be driving the Formula E car for the first time,” noted Di Grassi. “I can assure the drivers they will have a lot of fun with this car – even with just a quarter of the power, it has quite a lot of grip and the electric motor produces huge torque."

Spark-Renault’s SRT_01E will make its Formula E debut against 19 other teams when the season starts up in Beijing next September

"We’ve been able to check that all the electronic and electric systems are matching as planned, without any major interference," adds Pierre Calippe of Renault Sport Technologies. "The shift strategy is already working quite well and the battery, although not definitive, is responding okay. We still have plenty of work, but we are on a good trend: all the partners are really working together toward many innovations, and I think we can already say that the car will be very good, impressive to watch, listen to and, of course, drive!”

Spark-Renault’s SRT_01E will make its Formula E debut against 19 other teams when the season starts up in Beijing next September.

Source: Renault

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AutomotiveRenaultElectric Vehicle Racingformula e
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Angus MacKenzie
Born on the cold, barren Canadian plains of Calgary, Alberta, Angus MacKenzie couldn’t decide between marketing, automotives or an entrepreneurial path - so he chose all three. With an education in automotives and marketing, Angus has rebuilt the carburetor on his 1963 Rambler Ambassador twice, gotten a speeding ticket in an F430 once, and driven & photographed everything from Lamborghinis to Maseratis to various German and Asian designs. When not writing, Angus has for the past six years been Editor-in-Chief for elemente, an internationally recognized architecture/design magazine.
8 comments
The Skud
Now all they have to do is build a track with a charging grid under the tarmac so they can drive for a good distance - even "fast swap" battery packs will be hard pressed to beat the present F1 pitstop times. I like the idea, but think we all may miss the exciting noise of those high-tech I/C engines.
MG127
a quiet formula race, wonderfull :) next will be E-Dragster ?
Jay Finke
And yes, they still use the 3 bolt rims.
Ed Atkeson
I wonder why the nose is so high.
Maverick62
This is a wicked looking piece. Skud is right... I think Red Bull changed 4 wheels in less than 2 seconds during a race. This is very accurate since the computer measures the time from when the wheel stops until it starts turning again. Jay made me smile... I had forgotten that the 50's and 60's Renault's had a 3 bolt pattern. Penske showed up at a race with a 3 bolt wheel back in the 70's. Huge studs were used which engineering wise were stronger than the 5 bolt arrangement. It was a one race deal since on the following Monday NASCAR wrote a rule stating 5 nuts or more must hold the wheel in place. Great thinking to save 40% of your time spent loosening and tightening the lug nuts.
steveraxx
The nose is high because it is a snobbish sport.
Lewis M. Dickens III
Jeez,
Looks like Lutz started something.
b
Scott in California
Electric motors can generate plenty of high-pitch whine and wail that will raise the hair on your neck. That, no doubt, is why these cars have gearboxes; plenty of generated loudness, then the shift and the drop-tone.
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