FIA President Jean Todt and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings, revealed the new Spark-Renault SRT_01E fully-electric single-seater during the opening day of the prestigious 65th International Frankfurt Motor Show.
Watched by invited guests and members of the press, the SRT_01E has been designed and built by Spark Racing Technology, headed by the renowned Frédéric Vasseur, together with a consortium of the leading manufacturers in motorsport, and will compete in the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship – the world’s first global electric race series beginning in September 2014.
Using the very latest technology, the SRT_01E aims to push the boundaries of what is currently achievable in electric motorsport, whilst ensuring a balance between cost-effectiveness and sustainability, in addition to coping with the demands of racing entirely on city-centre circuits.[image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”center” alt=”Spark-Renault SRT_01E” title=”Spark-Renault SRT_01E” height=”400″ width=”600″]https://www.car-engineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Spark-Renault-SRT_01E.jpg[/image_frame]
The car’s monocoque chassis has been constructed by leading Italian firm Dallara and has been aerodynamically designed to aid overtaking. Made from carbon fibre and aluminium, the chassis will fully comply with the 2014 FIA crash tests.
Providing the electric motor, gearbox and electronics is McLaren Electronics Systems, the world leader in high- performance technology for motorsport. Williams Advanced Engineering, part of the Williams group of companies that includes the world famous Williams F1 Team, is responsible for the design and supply of the batteries and their battery management systems; producing 200 kw (the equivalent of 270 bhp).
Overseeing all the systems integration, performance optimisation and powertrain electrical safety is Formula E’s Technical Partner Renault, a leader in electric vehicles and an expert in motorsport thanks to its Renault Sport Technologies and Renault Sport F1 programmes. Meanwhile, custom made 18-inch treaded tyres have been created by Official Tyre Partner Michelin, with just one durable tyre to cater for both wet and dry conditions and helping to reduce overall costs and promote sustainability.
“I congratulate all partners involved in the production of the fully-electric SRT_01E car – it is a fantastic achievement,” said FIA President Jean Todt. “The innovative technology deployed follows the best environmental practices, highlighting the potential of the Formula E Championship to spark a revolution in the development of new electromobility systems, not just for motorsport but also for everyday use. This new championship builds on the FIA’s traditional role as a leading promoter of innovation, technology and performance in the automotive sector.”
The car, which has been 10 months in the making, will be used by all 10 teams and 20 drivers competing in the new zero emission series although only for the first season as Formula E is an ‘open championship’ designed to encourage manufacturers to build their own car to help accelerate R&D around the electric vehicle. A total of 42 cars will be produced by Spark with each driver using two cars during the one hour races.[image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”center” alt=”Spark-Renault SRT_01E steering wheel” title=”Spark-Renault SRT_01E steering wheel” height=”400″ width=”600″]https://www.car-engineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Spark-Renault-SRT_01E-steering-wheel.jpg[/image_frame]
Frédéric Vasseur, President of Spark Racing Technology, added: “I am extremely proud and happy to work with the partners Spark has gathered together to form this unique consortium, a first in the history of motorsport. I regard each and every one of these partners with the highest esteem, I have worked with them throughout my career and they have accompanied me in a lot of the successes I have been fortunate to achieve in my other activities in traditional motorsport. All consortium members are driven by a motivation to make this innovative project a success.”
Pascal Couasnon, Director of Michelin Motorsport, added: “Michelin is the official tyre supplier to the FIA Formula E Championship for the next three years [2013 to 2015]. This new discipline is of special interest to Michelin because it is a means to work on the design of efficient tyres to optimise the range of the formula’s single-seater cars. These solutions need to be extremely versatile in order to adapt to different weather conditions without losing any of their pedigree as genuine racing tyres. For Michelin, it is an additional opportunity to carry over the innovations developed for motorsport from the race track to the street.”
The SRT_01E will now remain at the Frankfurt Motor Show for the duration of the event, with a duplicate car also on display at the FIA Mobility Conference in The Hague on Tuesday, 11th September. After that it will undergo a stringent FIA crash test followed by an extensive testing programme.
Techical specification of the Spark-Renault SRT_01E
Design
- Aerodynamics optimized to facilitate overtaking
- High ride height sensitivity and wide range of suspension set up possibilities to tackle the city centre streets
- Cost effectiveness
- Compliant to FIA safety regulations
Technology
- Use of latest technology, pushing the boundaries for the future
- Compromise between performance and cost effectiveness wherever possible
- Extensive use of composite materials but limited usage of the most expensive carbon fibres
Dimensions
- Overall length: 5000 mm (max)
- Overall width: 1800 mm (max)
- Overall height: 1250 mm (max)
- Track width: 1300 mm (min)
- Ride Height: 75 mm (max)
- Overall weight (inc driver): 800 kg (min) // Batteries alone 200 kg
Power
- Max power (limited): 200 kW, equivalent to 270 bhp
- Race mode (power-saving): 133 kW, equivalent to 180 bhp
- ‘Push-to-Pass’: 67 kW
Maximum power will be available during practice and qualifying sessions. During races, power-saving mode will apply with the ‘Push-to-Pass’ system temporarily allowing maximum power for a limited time.
The amount of energy that can be delivered to the MGU by the RESS is limited to 30kwh. This will be permanently monitored by the FIA.
Performance
- Acceleration: 0 – 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3s – Estimated
- Maximum speed: 225 km/h (FIA limited) – Estimated
Final performance figures are still to be verified.
Engine
- MGU by McLaren
- Maximum of two MGU’s allowed
- MGU’s must be linked only to the rear axle
- The use of traction control is forbidden
Traction battery
- The traction battery is a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) and supplies electric energy to the Power Circuit and thus to the traction motor. Any onboard battery electrically connected to the Power Circuit is considered to be an integral part of the vehicle’s traction battery
RESS
- A Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) is a system that is designed to propel the car via the electric motor. In order to comply they must be:
– FIA Standard
– The maximum weight of the Battery Cells and/or Capacitor of the RESS must not be higher than 200 kg
– All Battery Cells must be certified to UN Transportation Standards as a minimum requirement
Chassis
- Chassis / Survival cell – Carbon/aluminium honeycomb structure made by Dallara
- Front and rear wing – Carbon structures and Aero styling by Dallara
- Bodywork – Carbon – Kevlar honeycomb structures made by Dallara
Gearbox
- Hewland paddle shift sequential gearbox
- Fixed gear ratios to reduce costs
Brakes
- Standard two separate Hydraulic systems, operated by the same pedal
- Brake material is free choice
- Calipers; the section of each caliper piston must be circular, the body of the callipers must be made from aluminium alloy
Wheels & tyres
- Bespoke 18″ treaded Michelin tyres for use on both wet and dry conditions/surfaces
- Championship specific wheel dimensions
- O.Z. Racing Magnesium rims. Max width front – 260 mm / rear 305 mm. Max Diameter – front 650 mm / rear 690 mm
Electronics
- McLaren Electronics ECU/GCU including data logging system
- Power supply management unit
- CAN data acquisition pre-equipment
- FIA Marshalling system
- Beacon receiver
- Telemetry is not permitted
Suspension
- Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated, twin dampers and torsion bars suspension (front) and spring suspension (rear)
- Adjustable ride height, camber and toe
- Two way (front) / Four way (rear) adjustable Koni dampers
- Adjustable anti-roll bar (front/rear)
Steering system
- Non assisted rack and pinion steering system (power assistance is allowed)
- Steering wheel with dashboard, marshalling display, gear change and clutch paddles
Safety
- FIA safety standards including: front, side, rear and steering column impact tests
- Front and rear roll hoop, impact structures and monocoque push tests
- Anti-intrusion survival cell protection panels
- Wheel retainer safety cables
- Extinguisher system (electronically operated)
Camera equipment
- Roll hoop, nose cone and face shot camera pre-equipment.
Source: FIA Formula E
[titled_box title=”Romain’s opinion:”]
Renault is investing a lot in this competition to promote its electric vehicle range. Do you think the media and the customer will be receptive to the message of this competition, promoting electric vehicles? Do you think there will be any return on investment for Renault and other participants?[/titled_box]
