The Audi e-tron FE04 was revealed overnight ahead of Audi’s first ever all-electric racing car competing in the 2018 Formula E season.
THE AUDI E-TRON FE04 was revealed overnight marking a milestone in Audi’s 40-year involvement in motorsport. The launch of its all-electric Formula E racer makes it the first German car maker to enter the sport.
“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.”
In Formula E, the teams and manufacturers supporting them are allowed to develop their own powertrain, software, suspension and transmission. The FE04 will use a one-gear transmission.
“Together with our technology partner Schaeffler, we have developed a completely new powertrain,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “You can immediately tell this by looking at the new carbon housing of the powertrain. The car also sounds different because we’re pursuing new avenues in technology.”
The Audi e-tron FE04 will make its racing debut at the Formula E season opener in Hong Kong on December 2, 2017. Lead driver is Lucas di Grassi, the current Formula E champion and support driver, Daniel Abt. The new team principal is Allan McNish.
Audi has committed to the launch of more than 20 electrified models in its range by 2025 including plug-in-hybrids and fully electric cars.
