FE05 race ready

With just over two months now remaining until the start of the fifth ABB FIA Formula E season, Audi is finalising the preparation on its new race car, the Audi e-tron FE05.

This is the new machine that Audi works drivers, Lucas di Grassi and daniel Abt will dive in the coming season, as well as being the vehicle of choice for the British Virgin Racing team.

Not only does the new car sport completely new and distinctive styling, but it houses a host of technical changes, most notably to the drivetrain.

Developments to the battery and charging technology also mean that for the first time since the series was launched in 2014, drivers will be able to complete the entire 45 minutes races in the one car, without having to swap into new, fully charged cars as has been the case in the past. 

With the Audi e-tron FE05, Audi has made major changes to the Audi e-tron FE04 that won the manufacturer’s championship last season, particularly at the heart of the Audi e-tron FE05, the drivetrain, which consists of the motor, inverter, gearbox, components of the rear suspension, as well as the corresponding software. While the rest of the car is identical for all teams, manufacturers get the opportunity to showcase their technical expertise with the drivetrain.

The motor generator unit, dubbed the Audi Schaeffler MGU03, was jointly developed by Audi and its technology partner Schaeffler, with engineers putting particular emphasis on making the package even more efficient and further increasing its level of effectiveness. 

As in Formula 1, the driver sits in a monocoque made of carbon-fiber, developed to comply with FIA safety standards with CFRP crash structures at the front, rear and sides provide maximum safety. The Audi e-tron FE05 also features the new halo system above the cockpit which provides additional protection for the drivers’ heads. The new styling is futuristic and aggressive, the most obvious visually though is the absence of a rear wing on the car, with downforce instead generated by a large diffuser at the rear of the race car.

Development of the new FE05 began mid-2017 and by the end of July this year it had been homologated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). In all, 95 percent of the drivetrain parts are new and engineers were able to shave 10 percent off the total weight.

Changes are no longer permitted and only the software may be improved during the season. A joint test with all of the competitors is scheduled for mid-October in Valencia (Spain), after which the race cars and equipment will be transported to Saudi Arabia for the start of the new season on December 15.

This season, the motor is permitted to produce up to 250kW in qualifying but then output is capped to 200kW for the actual race. The 900kg race car reaches 100km/h from standstill in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of around 240km/h.

New ‘activation zones’ are being introduced this season, areas that allow drivers to access up to 225kW as they pass through them. The ‘FanBoost’ function will remain in Season Five, allowing fans to vote online to support their favourite drivers, with the most heavily supported receiving temporary boost of up to 25kW during the race.

All Formula E teams draw electricity from identical McLaren lithium-ion batteries weighing 374 kilograms, situated between the driver’s seat and the powertrain. These have a capacity of 52 kWh and can be charged within 45 minutes. Additionally a ‘Brake-by-Wire’ system makes for optimal brake balance and more efficient energy recuperation under braking.

The new season, starts on December 15, in Ad Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) – the first of 13 races in 12 major cities worldwide. Races will be held in Marrakesh (Morocco), Mexico City (Mexico), Hong Kong (China), Rome (Italy), Paris (France), Monaco, Berlin (Germany) and New York (USA). Each race is run over 45 minutes plus one lap, with most of the races held on temporary street circuits in city centres.

In the 2018/19 season the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team will be looking to retain its teams championship, while the two factory drivers will look to add another drivers’ championship to the trophy cabinet.