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Technology from road car to racing car

Very often, you would read about how technology developed for racing cars eventually gets transferred to production models sold to the public. The new technology has been proven in the extreme conditions of racing and before it is used in production models, it is refined and most importantly, tested thoroughly for durability and reliability.

But here’s an example of the reverse taking place – from production model to racing car. Engineers at Panasonic Jaguar Racing have taken a technology used in the Jaguar I-PACE all-electric SUV for their racing cars in the single-seater all-electric championship series.

Traffic Sign Recognition system
The technology is from the Traffic Sign Recognition system (TSR) but the principles are adapted for a very different purpose: to monitor the battery status of the I-TYPE and competitors’ racing cars – automatically and in real time. This data can then be used to determine the optimum energy strategies for the drivers.

TSR uses an advanced stereo camera and image processing software to detect and read road signs, informing drivers of speed limits, temporary speed limits, and no-overtaking restrictions. This information is also used by the Adaptive Speed Limiter system, helping drivers stay within the permissible speed by automatically slowing the vehicle down, if necessary, when entering areas with a lower limit.

Learnings from the system help the engineers understand when to push and when they can afford to ease off – optimising energy management throughout a race. Adopting digital vision systems with image recognition as the enabler for the new energy strategy modelling process delivered a step-change in speed, accuracy and flexibility compared to the tools used previously, and is future-proofed to make even more detailed analyses possible in seasons to come.

Racing to improve vehicles
The technology transfer is one example of advances in Jaguar’s road cars being used to support success on the track. This advantage is complemented by the on-going application of knowledge gained from the extremes of racing to improve vehicles such as the all-electric I-PACE.

One of the most significant benefits to date – underpinned by invaluable learning gained from the I-PACE eTROPHY race series and Formula E – was a software update to the I- which gave customers worldwide up to 20 kms more real-world range from a full charge. This was delivered though further optimisation of battery management, thermal systems, regenerative braking and all-wheel drive torque distribution.

The on-going collaborative partnership between engineers in Jaguar Racing and those working on core Jaguar vehicle programmes ensures that knowledge, processes and technologies continue to pass from road to track and also vice-versa.

Jaguar unveils first virtual all-electric sportscar for Gran Turismo Sport

Formula E: Nissan e.dams team scores first ever win in esports version

The global pandemic may have impacted motorsports by preventing events from being run, mainly because of valid concerns about transmission of the coronavirus. While real-world racing has been on hold, esports have quickly grown online and even the works teams of carmakers have joined in.

For Nissan, which was the first Japanese carmaker to enter the all-electric single-seater Formula E, series, its driver in the Nissan e.dams team, Oliver Rowland, recently took the team’s maiden victory in round 5 of the ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge.

Racing in what has been described as ‘the best race in the esports series so far’, Rowland (pictured above) showed strong pace from the outset, qualifying in P3 on the Berlin circuit, having had just one day’s practice along with the rest of the grid on the newly created virtual Tempelhof track.

He got away cleanly at the start, key to sim racing success, and immediately settled into an exciting battle with the lead group of three drivers. On lap 7, from third position, Rowland made an inch-perfect move into a hairpin bend to overtake two cars at once and claim the lead. He maintained the lead to the finish, fending off constant pressure from behind.

First virtual win
The stylish overtake and team’s first virtual win pay tribute to “Go Nissan Day”, celebrated each year in May. Sebastien Buemi qualified in P11 and crossed the finish line in 12th position.

The new online racing series represents Formula E, the first real-world zero emission racing series, as the height of zero emission competition in the virtual world. This aligns with Nissan’s goal of zero emissions and zero fatalities, an important pillar of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand’s vision for changing how cars are driven, powered and connected into society.

The ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge raises funds for UNICEF’s global coronavirus appeal, helping keep children safe, healthy, and learning in the face of the pandemic.

DS Techeetah dominates in Marrakesh round of Formula E

DS Techeetah driver and race winner Antonio Felix da Costa and his teammate Jean-Eric Vergne pulled off a double podium for DS in Marrakesh. Splitting the pair in second was BMW i Andretti Motorsport’s Max Guenther after a manic race in Marrakesh. Here’s how it all happened.

Poleman and DS Techeetah driver Antonio Felix da Costa led the way into the 2020 Marrakesh E-Prix, followed closely by the man who replaced him at BMW i Andretti Motorsport Max Guenther in second and Mercedes-Benz EQ’s Nyck de Vries in third.

Starting from 11th, reigning champion and DS Techeetah driver Jean-Eric Vergne moved up the order to seventh, desperate to kickstart his third championship title campaign. At the same time, Mercedes’ Nyck de Vries dropped from third to the back while serving a drive-through penalty for being overpowered while regenerating energy.

Moving into third, TAG Heuer Porsche’s Andre Lotterer moved up into third with 28 minutes left on the clock. With Da Costa still leading the way, Guenther followed close behind in second. Still climbing up the order, Vergne moved into third, slipping past his former teammate Andre Lotterer who moved down into fourth. Despite missing the first Practice session, the reigning champion was in a potentially facing a podium finish after starting outside the top ten.

Battling hard for the lead, BMW’s Max Guenther and da Costa once again found themselves engaged in close-combat, wheel-to-wheel racing. Reminiscent of the race in Santiago only a few weeks before, the pair went side by side through the turn 11.

ATTACK MODE used
With 19 minutes remaining, Guenther slipped into the lead before da Costa went through the ATTACK MODE activation zone, reclaiming his lead with the added 35 kW. Further down the order, Rokit Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortara and Porsche’s Andre Lotterer battled for fourth and fifth, both in ATTACK MODE.

Still climbing his way up the order, Vergne (in third) went for Guenther (in second), taking the German driver on the inside of Turn 1 and moving into second behind his teammate da Costa with six minutes and one lap left of the race. Gunther, now down in third sat ahead of Lotterer in fourth, while the two German drivers jostled for a place on the podium.

Despite starting from the back of the grid, Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver and championship leader Mitch Evans had managed to climb 18 places by the final moments of the race. The Kiwi driver failed to set a time in Qualifying but more than made up for the rough start with a sensational, clean drive through the pack.

With the two DS Techeetah’s up front, Vergne fended off a number of attacks from Guenther in third, costing him precious energy, before letting the BMW driver past. Still well ahead, da Costa took the chequered flag, claiming DS Techeetah’s debut win in the 2019/20 season. Despite being depleted of all energy, Gunether made it over the line in second with Vergne close on his tail in third.

Can the next round be held in Italy?
The sixth round of the Formula E championship is to be held in Rome on April 4. However, with the increasing seriousness of the COVID-19 epidemic, especially in Italy, it is almost likely that the venue will not be suitable.

So far, the FIA has not made further moves to postpone or cancel championship rounds other than the F1 GP in China. Formula E has 13 rounds, with 8 rounds remaining between now and July. If the epidemic gets worse, countries may have travel or entry restrictions or, like the Swiss government has done, forbid events with large crowds. Teams may also be reluctant to travel if there is a health risk to their personnel.

2020 F1 Chinese Grand Prix cancelled due to COVID-19 situation

DS TECHEETAH previews design of its future Formula E racing car

Building on the support from leading car manufacturers, Formula E will officially become an FIA world championship starting from the 2020/2021 season (which typically starts towards the end of the year). As part of a constant process of innovation, the all-electric single-seater championship will introduce the Gen2 EVO, a restyled version of the current racing car.

DS Automobiles and its team partner DS TECHEETAH are already preparing for this new season with race livery design of their future racing car for Season 7. DS Automobiles and its sporting entity DS Performance successfully completed the transition between the two generations of Formula E cars. With a motor that increased to 250 kW and a battery of 52 kWh, the drivers can compete in an entire E-Prix distance without car change-overs. Aligned with DS TECHEETAH, the DS E-TENSE FE19 won the two Championship Drivers and Teams titles in the last season.

2019 DS CTHEETAH Formula E — *The current Formula E car run by DS TECHEETAH.*

Formula E DS Techeetah Gen2 EVO — *The Gen2 EVO car for Season 7.*

How the car will evolve
Formula E will evolve the design of the car and changes will include modification of the front and rear appendages, addition of a ‘shark fin’ on the bonnet and opening of the front wheel arches. The design of the Gen2 EVO to be used by the DS TECHEETAH Team incorporates the facelift imagined for the next season while retaining the black and gold codes of the DS E-TENSE FE20.

“Formula E is as much a place of experimentation as it is a field of expression for DS Automobiles. We demonstrate our vision by having been the first premium manufacturer involved, our expertise in electrification by winning races and championships and our know-how by multiplying innovative actions around competition. Being the first team to present the design of our future single-seater is a new step in this commitment, ” said Beatrice Foucher, CEO of DS Automobiles.

Formula E round in China cancelled, other motorsports events under review by FIA due to concerns about coronavirus

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently stated that the coronavirus outbreak meets the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and therefore appropriate actions are to be taken by governments and other organisations worldwide. Public events where many people are in close proximity would need have the risk factor reviewed and such events include motor racing.

Last week, the FIA (the international organisation governing motorsports) said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation concerning the coronavirus with relevant authorities and its Member Clubs, under the direction of FIA Medical Commission President, Professor Gerard Saillant. The FIA will evaluate the calendar of forthcoming races around the world and, if necessary, take any action required to help protect the global motorsport community and the wider public.

Formula 1 — *The FIA says it will evaluate the calendar of forthcoming races around the world and, if necessary, take any action required to help protect the global motorsport community and the wider public.*

In view of the continued spread of coronavirus and after close consultation with the relevant departments of Hainan Province and Sanya Municipal Government, Round 6 of the Formula E all-electric championship is cancelled. The Sanya e-Prix was scheduled to be run at the Haitang Bay Street Circuit on the island of Hainan on March 21.

“Given the current growing health concerns and with the World Health Organisation declaring the coronavirus an international emergency, Formula E has taken the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of its travelling staff, championship participants and spectators, which remains of paramount importance,” the FIA said in a statement.

“We are working closely with our regional partner and the local authorities in Hainan Province and Sanya Municipal Government, to continue monitoring the situation as it develops. All parties will take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates should the situation improve,” it added.

F1 China — *The Formula 1 round at the Shanghai Circuit in China, scheduled for April, would also be under review.*

Obviously, other events are being reviewed with those that will be held in China being at the top of the list. In April, the third round of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship calendar is to be held at the Shanghai circuit and that too may have to be cancelled or postponed.

During the second half of the year, there are also two rounds of the World Touring Car Cup (September and November). However, the World Endurance Championship (WEC) calendar does not include a round in China this year as the Kyalami circuit in South Africa is reinstated. The Monza 6 Hours will take the weekend that the Chinese WEC round at Shanghai has traditionally been held on.

Of course, given every country’s concern about the virus and preventing its spread, all public events which would have large crowds would be reviewed by local authorities and organisers, not just motorsports.

Formula E – a global entertainment brand with sustainable motorsport at its heart

Many good ideas have started on the back of a napkin… the first laptop, the original Mini and, on the evening of March 3, 2011, the idea for an all-electric single-seater street racing series. These ideas all started out as nothing more than scribbles on a napkin.

Written in just a few words in a restaurant in Paris were the beginnings of what would become the world’s first all-electric international single-seater championship – Formula E. Authored by FIA President Jean Todt and Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag, the two men developed the series as a means to demonstrate the potential of sustainable mobility to help create a better, cleaner world.

Formula E first season 2014 — *The first round of the first season was held in Beijing, China in 2014.*

Since making its global debut in the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing in 2014, Formula E has grown into a global entertainment brand with motorsport at its heart. Now, with 11 teams and 22 drivers on the grid, the championship has attracted the world’s best motorsport teams and talent.

A new era of racing
In January 2018, Formula E welcomed global technology and robotics giant ABB as title partner of the championship, sparking a new era of all-electric street racing aided by one of the biggest names in electrification.

With a total of 9 manufacturers on board – Jaguar, Nissan, BMW, Audi, DS and Mahindra – Formula E grew in prominence and now serves as a competitive platform for global car manufacturers and mobility providers to test and develop road-relevant technologies.

Formula E in Rome — *Who would have imagined single-seater cars racing through the streets of Rome, London, Putrajaya, Jakarta and New York?*

Technology transfer for EVs
By racing on the streets, the series acts as a catalyst, helping to refine the design of electric vehicles and improve the driving experience for everyday drivers of road cars. Technology developed for the racing cars can be adapted and commercialised for use in the growing number of electric vehicles that will appear in this decade.

Now, building on over 5 seasons of all-electric city street racing, the championship boasts one of the best sporting calendars in the world, with 14 races in 12 cities across 5 continents. Typically starting during the fourth quarter of the year, the current 2019/20 season sees the series being run on the streets of Seoul and Jakarta for the very first time as well as returning to London for the double-header season finale.

New teams Mercedes-Benz EQ and TAG Heuer Porsche have joined the grid to make the sixth season of Formula E a highly competitive one. This is the new era of racing in the 21^st century that will keep growing in popularity with each new season.

BMW i Andretti Motorsport ready for Season 6 of Formula E with the BMW iFE.20

Season 6 of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship sees the BMW i Andretti Motorsport team joining, for the second season, in the competition for all-electric single-seaters. Much preparation has gone on both on the racetrack and in the simulator, with extensive analysed of the findings from the first season.

“In our maiden season, with a win, two pole positions and several podiums, we showed that we are able to bring home top results in Formula E. However, we know that the performance level is extremely high and is likely to rise. But in this competitive environment, our aspiration must be to continue improving in our second season and be able to be among the front-runners battling for the top positions,” said BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

“Irrespective of the results, we want to show just how dynamic and emotive electric racing can be, through good and exciting races. And away from the racetrack we will be present with BMW i. We will continue to use Formula E as a platform to present innovations in electric mobility, autonomous driving and other BMW Group cutting-edge fields to the general public,” he added.

Highlighting the technology transfer between racing and production, Marquardt said that the technology transfer between racing and series production remains a central pillar of BMW’s involvement in Formula E. “Our objective for the works entry for Season 5 was to establish an efficient technology cycle between BMW i Motorsport and BMW i, and we were very successful. BMW i engineers are already benefitting enormously from the technological insights we are getting from the extreme use case of Formula E as they develop future production model engines. We will continue this close collaboration next season, for the benefit of both parties,” he said.

The BMW iFE.20
Like its predecessor, the BMW iFE.20 also has a uniform chassis as stipulated by Formula E regulations. BMW expertise remains primarily in the core of the car, the enhanced drivetrain. The characteristic of the BMW Racing eDrive02 was revised based on the detailed information on the individual racetracks that the team gathered in their maiden season, and modified to suit the specific challenges of Formula E races. The changes affect the E-motor and the inverter.

The main goal of the modifications is to improve the efficiency of the drivetrain. The same glycol as is used in production vehicles is now also used for its water circulation system. The BMW i Motorsport engineers also optimised the software that calculates energy management strategies, and the simulator in Munich. The rear-end structure was also reworked, to provide more flexibility for the set-up.

When working on the BMW Racing eDrive02, the BMW Motorsport engineers cooperated intensely and closely with their colleagues in BMW i production development. The iFE.20 serves as a tech lab for road car production. The knowledge gained by BMW i Motorsport engineers in the tough competitive environment of Formula E flows straight back into the development of future E-drives for BMW production vehicles. Motor racing makes it possible to test new materials, technologies and methods in extreme conditions and without having to take into consideration restrictive factors.

From the exterior, the slightly modified design of the iFE.20 is evident. It maintains some of the elements of its predecessor, including the blue and white corners which intersect in the style of the BMW logo. The view from above has also been accentuated which, considering the usually elevated seating position of spectators at Formula E races, plays a particularly important role. On top of this is the asymmetric layout, which provides maximum visibility at race speed. The striking changes also include the non-reflective, matt black cockpit element, which has been extended to the whole driver environment. It puts even more focus on the driver and highlights his pivotal role in Formula E.

The BMW logo pattern emphasised in its predecessor has been given a slightly more abstract interpretation for the iFE.20. In return, there is greater accentuation of the progression of colour from blue to violet, the natural colours of electricity. Also, the BMW i Motorsport ‘Spirit Marks’ established during the course of last season are now also reflected in the design of the cars.

BMW i Andretti Motorsports Team — *The BMW iFE.18 in action at the New York round of Formula E Season 5 in July this year.*

Audi’s new all-electric Formula E racing car previewed before public unveiling

When the next Formula E season starts in November, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler drivers Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi will pilot a new e-tron FE06 all-electric racing car with a spectacular new look. The car will be unveiled publicly for the first time at the Frankfurt International Motorshow next week but Audi is giving a preview of its new colours and evolutionary technology. Its first race will be in Ad Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) on November 22/23.

With plenty of visible carbonfibre and a conspicuously bright orange livery to accentuate the lines across the whole car, the e-tron FE06 clearly appears even more aggressive than its predecessor in Abt and di Grassi achieved the runner-up position in the championship during last season.

“Compliments to the design team at Audi,” said Abt, the most successful German Formula E driver. “I’ve been keeping track of the visual development over the last few weeks and think the result is brilliant – the car simply looks aggressive and fast.”

New appearance but continuity in all other respects
While Audi pursued new paths with the design, including the selection of the orange that takes cues from the colour palette in which the road-going Audi e-tron was previously presented, the team relies on continuity in all other respects.

A new partner of the team is SONAX, a manufacturer of carcare products which has been closely linked to motorsport for decades and also supported Abt during his still young career. “We’re delighted that a new chapter is being opened in our long-standing partnership with ABT and that we’ll be able to present ourselves as a partner of the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team in Formula E in the future. The fascinating environment of the series provides our brand with great prospects of reaching even more potential customers worldwide,” said SONAX Head of Marketing, Franz Fischer.

The schedule before the first race is tight. Following the intensive private testing phase in Germany and Europe and the preparation of the two racing cars during the next few weeks, the team will travel to Valencia in the middle of October for the official 3-day Formula E pre-season test for all of the teams and drivers. At the beginning of November, the cars and equipment will then be loaded to be air-freighted to Ad Diriyah.

Porsche 99X Electric ready for its first Formula E season

With the international premiere of the Porsche 99X Electric, Porsche has reached another milestone on the way to the works entry in the 2019/2020 season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Porsche’s regular drivers Neel Jani and Andre Lotterer played an active role in the car presentation with videogamers from around the world. They were guided through the Porsche Digital GmbH premises in Ludwigsburg by specific instructions from the gaming community, first to find the Porsche 99X Electric and then to unveil it.

“It was a unique car presentation unlike anything the motorsport world has ever experienced before. It was great fun joining the gamers’ search for the Porsche 99X Electric both virtually and in real life at the same time. It is great that Porsche is breaking new ground and involving the young, digital generation,” said Jani.

“A different kind of car premiere; I really enjoyed the fact that Neel and I acted as live players. It is fantastic that we are communicating with the digital target audience as equals and that they were able to be part of it,” added Lotterer.

Significance of 9 and X
In terms of the design, the traditional Porsche motorsport colours were chosen for the Formula E racing car. From a bird’s-eye perspective, the Porsche emblem is clearly visible around the Halo system. As usual, the naming format is three digits which represent Porsche racing cars and 2-door sportscars.

The highest number, 9, was used twice, to re-emphasise the importance of the Formula E project for Porsche, while the X stands for the forward-looking approach and prototype racing. The 99X Electric also serves as a development platform for future fully electric production models.

Porsche E-Performance Powertrain
The development of the Porsche powertrain, referred to as the ‘Porsche E-Performance Powertrain’, has played a central role from the start. The Formula E regulations stipulate a standardised chassis and a standard battery, while the drive technologies are developed by the manufacturers. The engineers were able to make use of their LMP1 experience when developing the Porsche Formula E powertrain. With the hybrid technology, the foundations were laid for electric mobility.

“In hindsight, we laid the foundations for Porsche’s future involvement in Formula E during the LMP1 project. We used the insights gained during that time in the development of the Porsche Formula E powertrain. We focused on building a highly effective powertrain with the highest level of efficiency,” said Malte Huneke, Technical Project Leader Formula E.

The 800-volt technology used in Formula E is also used in the Taycan, Porsche’s first volume-produced fully electric sportscar. In addition, energy management and efficiency are the keys to success in both Formula E and series production. This is where the permanent synchronous motor comes into play which has an important role in optimising the drive concept.

TAG Heuer as Title and Timing Partner
TAG Heuer, the Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches, is the Title and Timing Partner of the Porsche Formula E Team, which will contest Season 6 of the single-seater all-electric championship under the name ‘TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team’.

By entering Formula E, Porsche is also breaking new ground from a commercial perspective. This environment addresses a young, different-minded and digitally-oriented target audience. This sphere allows the company to explore what customers expect from vehicles and mobility in general both now and in the future, also in terms of products and services.

Return to single-seater racing
It’s been more than 30 years since Porsche last participated in single-seater racing. Entering Formula E and the accompanying restructuring of the motorsport involvement can be derived from the 2025 Porsche strategy. In addition to traditional GT road-going sportscars, fully electric sportscars are also firmly anchored in the strategy. Both will be reflected in Porsche’s involvement in motorsports in the years to come.

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Audi unveils new electric racer that will compete in the 2017/18 Formula E championship

Audi will be fielding its first ever factory-backed Formula E racer this coming season. The car adorns a livery that has a white, metallic green and black paint scheme. Due to the restrictive nature of the sport, there’s very little that teams can do with regards to the design.

Teams and manufacturers are only allowed to develop the motor, transmission, parts of the suspension and their respective software. Audi claims its motor-generator unit, that is the heart of its e-tron FE04 racer, has been engineered to deliver greater efficiency. Transmitting power to the wheels is a high-efficiency transmission with only one gear that should lower power loses.

This year’s Formula E championship winner, Lucas di Grassi, will be piloting the new Audi e-tron FE04 and his teammate for the upcoming season will be a youngster named Daniel Abt. Lucas di Grassi will be driving the car with a number ‘1’ badge while his teammate gets ’66’ on his with additional red colored markings to enable spectators to differentiate between both cars.

“After nearly 40 years of being successfully active in Motorsport on the highest level, Audi now becomes the first German automobile manufacturer to compete in Formula E in order to test and advance the development of new technologies for production,” says Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management, Technical Development, AUDI AG.

“Following quattro, TFSI, TDI, hybrid drive and many other innovations, our first single-seater race car is a portent of our product offensive in the field of electric mobility that we are ringing in with the Audi e-tron in 2018,” he later added.

Called Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffle, the factory-backed Formula E team will be lead by team principle, Allan McNish. It’s a name that needs no introduction, McNish is veteran when it comes to Motorsports and was involved in number of racing disciplines that included Formula 1.

He has been an Audi factory driver for many years and is a celebrated three-time Le Mans winner. McNish, brings a significant amount of knowledge of racing to the team, which should give it a considerable advantage during the new season.

The Audi e-tron FE04 will make its racing debut at the Formula E season opener in Hong Kong on December 2, 2017. That said, Audi will be readying the car for test sessions within the coming days. First, the car’s abilities will be put on display by Daniel Abt during the E-Mobility Play Days at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

Then, the team heads to Valencia, Spain, which is the official venue of the Formula E pre-season tests. Audi will be putting both cars and drivers through their paces as they gear up for the upcoming 2017/2018 Formula E season.