Formula e has unveiled its most ambitious development to date: the Gen4 race car. It’s fast, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.8 seconds. That’s faster off the line than a Formula 1 car. Scheduled to debut in the 2026-27 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Gen4 is the next evolution of Electric vehicle Motorsport.
Formula E, which started its first season in 2014, was initially treated as a curiosity by motorsport fans. The first cars were efficient, but not so fast. And the hype – or lack thereof – left many fans unimpressed. But over the past decade, the series has evolved from a minor novelty into a high-stakes manufacturer-backed competition.
It is now a proving ground for Electric car Technology, and with Gen4, Formula E may have just emerged from Formula 1’s shadow.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased technical content and lab reviews. Add CNET As Google’s preferred source.
A major development for electric motorsport
The Gen4 is significantly larger than the current Gen3 Evo, with two distinct aero configurations and a more aggressive body design.
The Gen4 is the fastest and most advanced Formula E car ever to compete. With 600 kW of power – equivalent to more than 815 hp – the car has active all-wheel drive throughout the race. It also offers advanced aerodynamics with two settings: a high downforce mode for qualifying, and a low-drag configuration for race conditions, called Attack mode.
In Attack mode, the Gen4 delivers full power for thrilling overtakes, and its regenerative braking system now peaks at 700kW. the Electric car It will recover energy so efficiently that 40% of the car’s power can come from braking alone. Power capacity has also been increased to 55 kWh, opening the door to more aggressive racing strategies.
Gen4 is made from 100% recyclable materials
While a Formula E Gen4 race car may look similar to a Formula 1 car, there are plenty of differences for fans to enjoy.
Performance is only part of the equation. The Gen4 is made from 100% recyclable materials and includes at least 20% recycled content throughout its design.
according to Jeff DoddsCEO of Formula E, said the Gen4 “is much more than a race car. It represents more than a decade of progress, innovation and ambition in electric racing.” He described it as the most demanding and sustainable machine Formula E has ever built.
Marek Nowariskithe Director of Track Sport at the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, echoed this sentiment, noting that it “raises the bar” and gives manufacturers more space to showcase road-related technologies than ever before.
The car is now entering the testing phase with the teams participating in the championship, including them Porsche, AprilAnd Stellantis, Jaguar, and Lola Cars. Each manufacturer will tune the platform with their own power management strategies. The appearance of the Gen4 car will also change somewhat, with each team revealing its own unique look.
Will Formula E emerge from the shadow of Formula 1?
While the Formula E Gen4 car may not look very colorful yet, each team will add their own color before the race car hits the track.
This latest leap in technology could be the moment Formula E catches the attention of a wider audience – especially those who once dismissed it.
“After being heavily criticized by some racing naysayers, I think Gen4 could be the machine that pushes Formula E closer to the mainstream, given the huge jump in speeds,” he said. Jack Oliver SmithDeputy Editor of Motorsport Week. “The fast lap times these cars are expected to record, and the technology that has gone into this, will undoubtedly appeal to those interested in sustainability aspects, but also general racing fans who may have rejected Formula E in the past.”
For a sport long viewed as the future of racing, the Gen4 may be just the car that finally brings it into the present.