Porsche reveals Gen3 99X Electric racer
Third generation Formula E cars promise better racing; here's what Porsche will compete with
You’d be forgiven for not paying Formula E a huge amount of attention, even with the series nearing in on its 10th anniversary. The racing hasn’t really delivered as an entertainment spectacle, not helped of course by having the volume turned down. Next year’s championship, the ninth running, will use third generation Formula E cars. These promise much more entertaining motorsport; with additional power and a huge increase in regen ability, they will be the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric racing cars ever built.
This is Porsche’s entrant, the 99X Electric, revealed at the Porsche Experience Centre in Franciacorta in Italy and offering a drastically different look even to this year’s car, let alone the first 99X Electric seen in 2019. Nobody could accuse Porsche (and the championship) of not responding to feedback and demand; a silhouette that more closely resembles a traditional open-wheel racer can’t be an accident. Significant changes for the Gen3 99X Electric include more power (476hp is a handy 135hp more than before), double the regen capability of a Gen2 car (now 600kW, providing up to 40 per cent of energy required) and motor efficiency of around 95 per cent. Which, whatever you think about Formula E, is pretty impressive when the best combustion engines are about 40 per cent efficient.
Additionally, the 99X uses battery cells ‘from sustainably sourced minerals’ as well as recycled carbon from the Gen2 car for the bodywork. Nowadays, moreover, the carbon footprint of a Formula E car is measured from the design phase, with all unavoidable emissions to be offset as part of the net zero carbon pledge. Great excuse to design a race car from home, too; bike aside, there’s not much carbon-free commuting.
With the aim for the third generation of Formula E to create nothing less than new benchmarks in terms of performance, efficiency, and sustainability, much is expected of cars like the new 99X Electric. Thomas Laudenbach, Porsche Motorsport Vice Pres, said: “We’re delighted to be able to present the new Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 to the world. Our development team in Weissach have invested a great deal of work, experience, heart, and soul into this race car. They can all be truly proud of the result. Like the all-new Formula E generation, the Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 represents a technological milestone in all-electric racing. For Formula E and also for Porsche, campaigning these new cars from season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is a significant step into the future of motorsport. We’re looking forward to the start of the season and a new era.” That season begins in Mexico City on January 14th, 2023, a circuit that holds fond memories for Porsche following a one-two there this year. Pascal Wehrlein and Antonio Felix da Costa will be driving - a repeat performance would be the best way to kick off what ought to be an intriguing season.
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The race last season where the winner crawled home with 1% battery was an embarrassment- hopefully that can be avoided at least.
They rattled around nose to tail with absolutely no opportunity to pass. Utterly pointless.
Give them a proper circuit. I can’t see why it doesn’t have a future but it does need genuine opportunity to pass not some “this-zone” or “that-zone”.
As to manufactures / teams - no idea.
They rattled around nose to tail with absolutely no opportunity to pass. Utterly pointless.
Give them a proper circuit. I can’t see why it doesn’t have a future but it does need genuine opportunity to pass not some “this-zone” or “that-zone”.
As to manufactures / teams - no idea.
Utter s
te, we left before it finished to go eat. Having taken him to Brands on multiple occasions to watch all sorts, even as a kid he could tell we were wasting our time on this one…
Ho hum, such is progress, I’ll let others enjoy this new ‘exciting’ motorsport development, meanwhile I’ll just pursue other interests.
This would still be fun to drive of course. However, we're realising how much the sound of an ICE engine facilitated audience participation in the event.
Only difference is branding.
This would still be fun to drive of course. However, we're realising how much the sound of an ICE engine facilitated audience participation in the event.
Only difference is branding.
"The all-electric single-seater series features a spec chassis, bodywork and batteries, but teams are free to fit their own drivetrain technology – which can make a huge difference to how efficient the cars are."
https://www.moveelectric.com/e-cars/porsche-target...
I have been following Formula E (as well as many major ICE car and bike series available on UK TV) and the Gen 1 cars were utterly dire. Gen 2 much less so as there was no need for mid-race swaps and although they had more power still lacked top speed so always looked slow on the straights. My hope is that Gen 3 will finally be fast enough to stop me falling asleep during most of the races. The concept of all street races is good with some interesting tracks and the races can be entertaining but whenever I watch there is the feeling they need more power.
As someone that used to play Gran Turismo/Ridge Racer/etc with the sound off, so as not to annoy others in the house, the lack of sound bothers me less than others.
"The all-electric single-seater series features a spec chassis, bodywork and batteries, but teams are free to fit their own drivetrain technology – which can make a huge difference to how efficient the cars are."
https://www.moveelectric.com/e-cars/porsche-target...
I have been following Formula E (as well as many major ICE car and bike series available on UK TV) and the Gen 1 cars were utterly dire. Gen 2 much less so as there was no need for mid-race swaps and although they had more power still lacked top speed so always looked slow on the straights. My hope is that Gen 3 will finally be fast enough to stop me falling asleep during most of the races. The concept of all street races is good with some interesting tracks and the races can be entertaining but whenever I watch there is the feeling they need more power.
As someone that used to play Gran Turismo/Ridge Racer/etc with the sound off, so as not to annoy others in the house, the lack of sound bothers me less than others.
Has it always been this way or did it change between one the generation?
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