Saturday 25th March 2017

BMW registered as Formula E manufacturer

You've had your fill of retro BMW racers at Goodwood; here comes the electric future...

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Let's be honest: not so long ago many didn't take Formula E all that seriously, the prediction being that is would struggle as either funding, manufacturer involvement or support dwindled. Perhaps a combination of the three.

There's still the M6 GT3 at least...

Now look. Audi has left WEC and will concentrate its racing efforts on the series, Jaguar is already involved and Renault has been able to harness the tech for cool concepts like the Zoe e-sport. Today the position of Formula E arguably strengthens further, with confirmation that BMW has been registered as a manufacturer for season five (2018-19) of the championship.

The news comes ahead of the Mexico round of this year's Formula E; currently BMW provides support for the MS Amlin Andretti team (and yes, that is Michael Andretti), with the relationship set to continue into a full works BMW programme.

"Everyone involved is delighted to be taking steps to get involved on the sporting and technological side of Formula E" said Jens Marquardt, BMW's Motorsport Director. He also mentioned the need to be "perfectly prepared" for a "potential" works entry, with engineers already developing a powertrain in Munich.

BMW has been involved with Formula E as a manufacturer from the start, albeit by providing an i8 safety car and i3 medical car, so perhaps the confirmation of a full racing entry shouldn't come as a surprise. It's a clear sign of intent from BMW, the attitude now that a works entry into an electric series is the most valuable investment for both product development and brand image. For those fans who grew up in awe of motorsport M3s, M635 CSis and that incredible V12 LMR car though, it may well feel like a sad announcement. Let's see what happens come 2018. More news as it's available!

BMW M6/Formula e images: LAT

[RossP]

Great news!

[howardhughes]

No thank you. Not for me.

[LordGrover]

Watched a couple of the inaugural season but was a little nonplussed.
Will try again this season; Channel5.

[suffolk009]

Watched a few races, and really can't see what the excitement is about. Might give it another look though.

[kambites]

I'm not convinced by Formula-E as a spectators sports at the moment, but clearly the major manufacturers see a future in it. I think it's a shame that the batteries are standard across all the cars, given that that's arguably where technological advancement is most needed in the EV market.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 21st March 15:25

[mgv8]

It's not coming to London or even the UK this year, so not that interested.

[Yipper]

It is unspeakably dull racing, but critical for future electric-car development and promotion, no doubt.

[Vitorio]

Meh, looked into F-E last year when Audi dropped out of WEC, its just not there. Tracks optimised for low speed (thus needing less power), max energy recovery, and they still need to swap cars halfway through a short race because the first one is flat.

[V8muscle]

Electric cars have no place in motorsport and Audi would still be in WEC if it wasn't for the diesel emissions scandal.

[Dave Hedgehog]

motor sport for people who have no interest or understanding of motor sport

still at least when people buy their beige hybrid cars that the main manufacturers are going to spam the market with they can all have powered by motorsport stickers on them

[kambites]

Dave Hedgehog said:

motor sport for people who have no interest or understanding of motor sport

I thought that was F1?

Like it or not, mainstream car manufacturers have increasingly little interest in being associated with powerful internal combustion engines.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 21st March 15:48

[GranCab]

Are BMW providing "enhanced sound" for their cars to make it seem exciting ?

[Dave Hedgehog]

GranCab said:

Are BMW providing "enhanced sound" for their cars to make it seem exciting ?

they have been using an i3 as a prototype mule for their enhanced electric sound system

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNsryEHZa_k

[MrGeoff]

I wanted to like this when it began but just found it a little dull. Surely manufacturer involvement is merely used for R&D and advertising. Do they really see this as the future of motorsports or a way to gain a few sales on brand recognition?

[kambites]

MrGeoff said:

I wanted to like this when it began but just found it a little dull. Surely manufacturer involvement is merely used for R&D and advertising. Do they really see this as the future of motorsports or a way to gain a few sales on brand recognition?

I think they see it as the future of mainstream car manufacturers' involvement in motorsport. Whether there is any other long-term future of motorsport remains to be seen.

[thundercolo]

Soon you will have to change the name PistonHeads for CableHeads... If I were you I would register it right away!

[Evilex]

"Terminal-heads"?

Though I suppose brake calipers will continue to have pistons for the foreseeable future.

Why are all the major brands jumping on Formula E? It doesn't contribute to the average emissions of their vehicle line-up, or does it?

[j90gta]

Vitorio said:

Meh, looked into F-E last year when Audi dropped out of WEC, its just not there. Tracks optimised for low speed (thus needing less power), max energy recovery, and they still need to swap cars halfway through a short race because the first one is flat.

So the Monaco GP will soon be replaced on the F1 calender!!

[iwantcheese5]

Great to get another manufacturer on board. I don't see why FE gets so much hate, the racing is closer and more genuine than anything I've seen in F1 in the last few years. The overtakes in FE are more frequent and not just because of DRS! The speed is coming slowly as well, this year the power cap is 200kW (270hp) but it's rising to 220kW (295hp) next season and 250kW (335hp) the following season. Sounds low but as a percentage increase that's loads, add in the reduced weight they're introducing and the cars will rapidly become fast by anyone's standards.

Having the circuits within cities is fantastic in my mind as well, makes travelling to the races more appealing as you can combine it with exploring a city. It also makes encouraging people to come with you easier too if they aren't die hard motorsport fans.

[talksthetorque]

Do they still get a power hike if they get enough tweets or something?