Faster, Sharper, Smarter: The Formula E Gen4 Era Begins
Just as the current Gen3 cars have finally hit their stride, Formula E is already looking to the future and it’s electric. Unveiled for competition starting in Season 13 (2026/27), the Gen4 car promises to shatter the boundaries of what an electric race car can do.
If Gen3 was about proving that electric cars can be fast, Gen4 is about proving they can beat internal combustion on every metric.
The Numbers That Matter
The headline stat is staggering: 600kW peak power. For context, that’s approximately 800 horsepower during qualifying and Attack Mode. To put that in perspective, that’s a 35% power increase over the already rapid Gen3 car.
This power is distributed between a new front powertrain (257kW) and the rear (335kW), allowing for a level of all-wheel-drive torque that will make current GT3 cars look pedestrian.
- Top Speed: Expected to exceed 200 mph (320 km/h).
- 0-60 mph: Likely under two seconds.
More Grip, More Action
To handle this ferocious power, Gen4 ditches the current all-weather treads. For the first time, Formula E will use slick tires (supplied by Bridgestone), significantly increasing mechanical grip. Combined with a wider track and revised aerodynamics, cornering speeds will leap dramatically.
However, the power comes with a challenge. With no brake-by-wire on the rear axle—forcing drivers to balance hydraulic brakes with regen manually—expect more lock-ups, more sparks, and more raw driving skill on display.
The “Superfast” Charge
The biggest game-changer isn’t the power, but the energy. The mandatory pit stop returns, but not for tires. Drivers will dive into the pits for a “Superfast” 600kW recharge. In less than 30 seconds, the car will absorb enough energy to finish the race, finally stripping away the last remnant of “range anxiety” from the sport.
The Verdict
The Gen4 car is a statement. It says that electric racing is no longer a novelty or a science experiment. It is the pinnacle of motorsport engineering. With brutal acceleration, tricky braking, and mandatory mid-race charging, Gen4 won’t just be the fastest electric series on earth—it might be the most demanding race car of any kind. Buckle up.
