The GEN4 Formula E car made its track debut today at Circuit Paul Ricard. What it can do will surprise you.
Formula E has a new car. And it beats Formula One by one very specific measure.
The GEN4, Formula E’s next-generation race car, unveiled today at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France, accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 1.8 seconds.
F1’s aerodynamics and sustained power take over almost immediately after 100kph, and over a full lap, there is no comparison. But off the line, in that first burst of acceleration, the GEN4 wins. For a series that has spent twelve seasons fighting for credibility alongside its louder, more glamorous cousin, that is not a small thing.
The rest of the numbers back it up. Top speed of 335kph. 0-200kph in 4.4 seconds, a full 1.5 seconds faster than its predecessor. Fifty per cent more power in race mode than the outgoing GEN3 Evo. In Attack Mode, Formula E’s overtake-trigger, output hits 600kW, a 71% jump. On street circuits, Formula E expects the GEN4 to lap at least 5 seconds faster than the previous generation.
Former racing driver James Rossiter put it through its paces on track, running demonstration laps alongside the GEN1, GEN2 and GEN3 cars. The progression showed itself in real time, and by all accounts, the gap was not subtle.
The GEN4 also holds a distinction no other single-seater racing car in the world can claim: permanent all-wheel drive. Every other single-seater, including every F1 car, runs rear-wheel drive or, at best, front-and-rear regeneration. Permanent AWD changes how drivers manage traction, torque and racecraft entirely.
The GEN4 also leads the world as the first 100% recyclable racing car, incorporating at least 20% recycled materials in its construction. Its tyres use 65% natural and recycled materials. The battery contains no rare earth minerals. During a race, it recovers over 40% of the energy it uses.
Formula E has covered this ground before. The series holds BSI Net Zero Pathway Standard certification and became the first motorsport series to achieve B Corp status. But GEN4 pushes that commitment further than any previous car.
CEO Jeff Dodds described the car as “a bold declaration of ambition.” Co-founder Alberto Longo, who oversees sporting strategy, called it the biggest performance step between any two generations in the championship’s history.
All six Formula E manufacturers, Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Mahindra, Lola Cars and Stellantis (via Citroën, and newcomers Opel from next season), travelled to Le Castellet to see it. Each of them now takes the GEN4 into development ahead of its racing debut in the 2026/27 Formula E season.
Twelve seasons ago, GEN1 produced 200kW and topped out at 225kph.
GEN4 produces 600kW. Hits 335kph. And beats F1 off the line.
The series with bigger than life ambitions just got a whole lot more intriguing to watch.
(Photos by Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images / Formula E)
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