– Formula E officially unveiled the Gen4 car on Tuesday at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet (France), with which all teams in the electric racing series will compete starting with the 2026/27 season.
Read more Ferrari: Small advantage due to filming day in Monza?
The Gen4 car is the fastest Formula E car to date. The top speed is 335 km/h, and the peak power in qualifying or attack mode is 804 hp. This is around 70 percent more than its predecessor, the Gen3 Evo car, which will still be used until the end of the 2025/26 season. It is predicted that the Gen4 car will be up to ten seconds faster in qualifying, depending on the track.
The Gen4 car is the only formula car with permanent all-wheel drive and also the first to be one hundred percent recyclable. Bridgestone will replace Hankook as Formula E’s tire supplier from the 2026/27 season. The Gen4 car is planned to be used for four seasons, from Season 13 to Season 16. On Tuesday, James Rossiter completed the official shakedown in Le Castellet.
“Seeing what the Gen4 car can do on track for the first time is a real milestone for Formula E. We are now delivering performance levels that were considered impossible for electric vehicles just five years ago,” says Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds.
“The performance leap is immediately clear, from the speed and power to the handling on track. There was real excitement among everyone present,” says Dodds, who is convinced: “This is an extremely exciting moment for the racing series and a clear signal of where we are heading.”
Thus, the Formula E CEO speaks at the official Gen4 presentation, stating that this “is just the beginning, as further development is now in the hands of our manufacturers Porsche, Jaguar, Stellantis, Nissan, Lola, and Mahindra, to drive development to an even higher level before the race debut, which will take place later this year.”
Six Manufacturers at the Presentation, but Only Three on Track
All six manufacturers mentioned were present in Le Castellet on Tuesday, but only Porsche, Jaguar, and Stellantis (represented by Opel from the 2026/27 season) actually took to the track for laps. Why did only three of the six manufacturers drive? Because the date clashed with the development schedule of the other manufacturers.
The Gen4 car is larger and heavier than the current Gen3 Evo car, with its weight increasing from 863 to 950 kilograms. The car features a wider cockpit. The reasons for this are the introduction of power steering and more space for the driver’s hands.
And: With the start of the Gen4 era, full wet tires will be used for the first time in Formula E. The all-weather tires currently in use will be phased out at the end of the Gen3 Evo era.
According to FIA President Mohammed Bin Sulayem, the brand-new Formula E car “marks a significant step forward for electric motorsport and sets a new global benchmark for performance, innovation, and sustainability. It’s not just a fast car; it’s a commitment to the future of this technology. I am proud that the FIA and its partners in Formula E are leading this vision.”
“Collaboration was central to the development of this car and will continue to be at the heart of a new era for the racing series, characterized by higher performance, road relevance, and excitement. Together with some of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, we are redefining what is possible in motorsport using the laboratory,” says Bin Sulayem.
Read more ADAC GT Masters 2026: High-speed season start against an Alpine backdrop
Gen4 Car to be “Not Far from Formula 1”
With the introduction of the Gen4 car generation, Formula E is preparing for a leap that, according to its own management, will bring the vehicle close to the premier class of motorsport. Alberto Longo, co-founder and boss of Formula E, does not shy away from superlatives to describe what awaits all involved.
“The Gen4 car will generate acceleration and speed that is unparalleled. It’s absolute madness, a beast, as I like to call it. For me, it represents the biggest performance leap ever from one car generation to the next,” says Longo.
“Comparing Gen1, Gen2, and Gen3 with Gen4, this is obviously a development that, in my opinion, goes far beyond what we initially expected,” says Longo, adding: “In a way, this confirms that Formula E is becoming increasingly powerful and that we are the home or cradle of performance and technological innovation.”
One of the most exciting aspects of the Gen4 era will be its position within the global motorsport ecosystem. According to simulations by the FIA and suppliers, the all-electric formula car will no longer just be looking in the rearview mirror at categories like Formula 2. Instead, due to its speed, it will operate at a level close to Formula 1.
Longo speaks frankly about the speed this new “beast” will achieve: “Faster than Formula 2, which means that [in terms of FIA racing series] we will only be behind Formula 1. And I dare say, not far from Formula 1.”
The End of the Era of “Tight” Race Tracks
The massive leap in performance that comes with the Gen4 car will not only change the driving dynamics in Formula E but also the venues where the racing series can compete.
Consequently, race tracks with FIA Grade 2 certification (instead of Grade 3E) must be considered in the future. This means that, starting with the 2026/27 season, Formula E will have to focus more on permanent race tracks and gradually move away from some street circuits.
Photo Gallery: Gen4 Car Unveiled: How Formula E Drives into the Future
“When you talk about 450 kilowatts of power in the race, 600 kilowatts in attack mode, and 700 kilowatts in regenerative braking, you are already talking about a powerhouse. Therefore, tight, winding, and short race tracks are not the future of Formula E. They will practically become part of the series’ past,” explains Longo.
- Formula 1Former Williams Formula 1 driver: “In the end, I just didn’t feel like it anymore”
- Formula 1Analysis: Are the announced rule changes sufficient?
- DTMTwo tire pots and “Lex Rene Rast”: This is what the new DTM regulations look like
- MotoGPMarc Marquez knows: Your own maximum decreases with every injury
This development will necessitate a restructuring of the race calendar, searching for tracks where the Gen4 car’s potential can be fully exploited. “There will be race tracks where, unfortunately, we no longer belong. This car, or rather the technology of this car, is so impressive and fantastic that it no longer allows us to race on the tighter tracks,” says Longo.
Read more The most exciting rider changes in recent MotoGP history
