Racing into the future

Although the 2017/18 FIA Formula E season is still underway, development work is well advanced on the successor to the Audi FE04 race car. 

The new car, the FE05, which will spearhead the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler assault on Season 5 (2018/2019) has already undergone some preseason testing, with Daniel Abt getting his first chance tp drive the car recently in Spain. His teammate, Lucas di Grassi, had previously driven the first kilometres in the Audi e-tron FE05 at the end of March.
“I was really excited about my first test and arrived in Spain with great expectations – and they were even surpassed. Driving is huge fun and the car marks a major step forward in every respect,” said Abt of his first laps in the FE05.

Team Principal Allan McNish is delighted about the positive feedback from his two drivers: “It’s a good sign that Daniel and Lucas instantly feel comfortable in the new car and handle it well. A lot of work has been invested in the whole development project, not only in the tests on the track but also at home in Neuburg. Even though we still have a lot of work to do we know that we’re heading in the right direction.” 

“Also in terms of technology, it proves the rapid advancement of developments in electric mobility,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. 

Thanks to a more powerful battery and improved efficiency, the range of the Formula E race car will double. As a result, a mid-race car swap will no longer be necessary from the 2018/2019 season onward. In addition, the Audi e-tron FE05 has a motor with clearly higher power output than its predecessor. 

“We were all excited to see the new Formula E car,” says McNish. 

“It looks breathtaking, especially with Audi’s livery. Equally impressive is the technology inside the race car. Here the Gen II car is making another huge step forward compared with the first-generation Formula E car.”