The Panasonic Jaguar Racing staff unveiled the most recent model of their all-electric Method E race automobile for the upcoming season of the racing championship right now and confirmed that Mitch Evans and former Method E champion Nelson Piquet Jr. will drive the autos.
The Method E groups are nonetheless considerably restricted in what they will modify of their race autos, however the championship is more and more opening up the system with every new season.
Jaguar describes the most recent model of the car:
“The I-TYPE 2 is Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s all-electric Method E race automobile. Designed to ship the last word steadiness of energy and effectivity, it accelerates from 0-60mph (0-100km/h) in 2.9 seconds and might regenerate as much as 150kW of power beneath braking to increase its vary. “
They launched pictures of the automobile and its elements:
Beneath its present configuration, the electrical powertrain has a capability of 200kW (equal to 270bhp), however it’s restricted to 170 kW (equal to 230bhp) in the course of the race. Method E’s fan enhance idea can allow the additional 30 kW temporarilly by means of an interactive and considerably controversial fan voting course of.
It’s not precisely spectacular energy, however it does the job for the 880kg (1940 lbs) car, which is uncommon for an electrical automobile (the battery pack alone is 320kg – 705 lbs).
Season 4 will begin later this 12 months and the subsequent few years are promising for the Method E as a number of automakers are becoming a member of as they open up their automobile platform for extra modifications.
Earlier this 12 months, BMW introduced plans to enter the Method E in season 5 with its personal staff whereas Audi confirmed that they’re taking up the ABT Sportsline staff, which that they had been sponsoring in prior seasons.
Mercedes-Benz additionally introduced that it’s going to be a part of the Method E beneath its personal staff, however throughout season 6 in 2018-2019.
Groups at the moment have to vary automobile mid race because the demanding efficiency depletes the battery packs in a short time, however the subsequent era is anticipated to repair that and automakers will be capable of tweak their very own vehicles.
Season 5 also needs to be probably the most fascinating because the groups will be capable of develop extra of their very own electrical powertrain elements. They are going to nonetheless all use the identical chassis, however it’s going to even be a brand new one. Spark Racing Applied sciences, the engineering agency behind the brand new chassis, launched the first pictures of the idea for the next-gen all-electric race automobile.
