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After another flat-out season of racing, we revisit the very best EV news and updates from the many manufacturers competing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to celebrate World EV Day.
DS E-TENSE Performance benefits from twin Formula E title win
Taking to the world's most famous street circuit back in April, the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE was driven by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares ahead of the 2022 Monaco E-Prix. Conceived as a futuristic, high-performance, four-wheeled laboratory, the E-TENSE PERFORMANCE aims to accelerate and inform the French marque's future cars.
Benefiting from the experience gained from lifting two Formula E Teams' titles (Season 5 and 6), the car was devised by DS PERFORMANCE squad, who equipped the car with a carbon monocoque, twin electric motors sporting 600 kW (815 horsepower) and a four-wheel drive transmission.
“Our objective is to apply the experience acquired in Formula E and the expertise that we’ve taken from our international titles to a project which predicts the high-performance electric car of tomorrow," said DS PERFORMANCE Director, Thomas Chevaucher at the time the car was revealed. "It is a laboratory that we will use to analyse the behaviour of components and to develop them with a view to future manufacturing. The idea is also to find solutions to lower costs, make them easier to manufacture and explore implementations in production models. The next generations of the E-TENSE range will benefit from these developments.”
Jaguar gives batteries new life as energy storage units
One of the greatest challenges facing the automotive industry is how to reuse and recycle EV batteries. Since its arrival in Formula E in 2016, Jaguar has been grafting away, translating its learnings on track to its many EVs on the road, all while focusing on the lifecycle of the batteries powering its EVs and Formula E racers.
Working with Pramac, Jaguar’s engineering team developed a zero-emission energy storage unit powered by second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries, taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles. Trialled by Jaguar TCS Racing during testing in the UK and Spain ahead of the 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the team demonstrated the system's race-to-road-to-race cyclical technology transfer, using it to run the team’s diagnostic equipment and to supply auxiliary power to the Jaguar pit garage.
Porsche expands the Taycan range with GTS model
After the launch of the Taycan in 2019, Porsche's all-electric tourer has been seen at every Formula E race as the Season 8 Safety Car. Adding the all-rounder GTS model to the line up, the Taycan GTS has 440 kW (598 PS) of overboost power when using Launch Control, which means it can blast from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. Offered in saloon or touring body shapes, both have a top speed of 250 km/h and a range of up to 504 km, based on WLTP figures.
The new sports model is the first Taycan to break the 500-km mark, with adaptive air suspension making for a more comfortable ride, which can be adjusted for a sportier set up if required. Equipped with a modified Porsche Electric Sport Sound, the Taycan GTS comes with an updated soundtrack from by Porsche's EV engineering team.
Formula E's newest manufacturer Maserati going fully electric by 2030
Ahead of its arrival in Formula E in the Season 9, Maserati took to the streets of Rome with its new, all-electric GranTurismo Folgore prototype before the double-header Rome E-Prix.
With a reported 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph, the Folgore sports a tri-motor, all-wheel drive setup with close to 1,200bhp from an 800V system. Translated as ‘lightning’, the Folgore nameplate will appear on all of Maserati’s future full-electric cars, including the new Grecale SUV, which will be available in an electric version in 2023, equipped with a 105-kWh battery using 400V technology.
Using its entry into Formula E to test and hone its electric car technology, Maserati's Folgore offering will extend to the MC20 supercar, a new Quattroporte sport sedan and the all-new Levante SUV by 2025, ahead of the marque going full-electric by 2030.
Mahindra launches new electric SUV and advanced design centre
Choosing to reveal a new electric SUV - the UXV 400 - on World EV Day, the launch follows the opening of the marque's new EV design centre - Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (M.A.D.E.). Serving as the creative hub for Mahindra's portfolio of EV products, the site sits next to the existing Mahindra Racing HQ location in Banbury.
Sporting a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, the XUV400 has 110 kW (150 PS) of power and 310Nm torque, from a 40kWh Lithium Ion Battery. Equipped with a tough and robust battery, the SUV's level of regenerative braking enables single pedal driving and can be recharged up to 80 percent in 50-minutes using DC 50 kW Fast Charger.
Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept - inspired by Formula E
Taking the underpinnings of the Nissan Ariya SUV, the Single Seater Concept is a demonstration of how the all-electric road car powertrain could be used to form the basis of a bespoke, single seater racing car. Inspired by Nissan's four years in Formula E, the Japanese marque's participation in the series played a key role in inspiring the concept.
"Nissan competes in Formula E not only to race on track, but also to support the development of compelling electric vehicles for customers," said Tommaso Volpe, Nissan global motorsports director. "Our EV programs inform our Formula E program and vice versa, allowing for road-to-track technology transfer as well as track-to-road. The Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept explores the combination of the all-electric powertrain, dual motors and revolutionary all-wheel drive system of the Ariya with a pure single seat racing chassis - a powerful demonstration of just how thrilling electric vehicles could be."