The Gen4 Formula E car has run its debut in front of a select audience at Circuit Paul Ricard, signaling the beginning of a new era for electric motorsport.
Brought by Formula E and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the all-new next-generation machine will act as the foundation that will be further developed and then raced by the teams and manufacturers in the 2026/27 season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Capable of reaching speeds in excess of 335kph, 0-100kph in approximately 1.8 seconds and 0-200kph in just 4.4 seconds – 1.5 seconds faster than its predecessor – GEN4 will deliver 50% more power in race mode than the current Gen3 Evo race car.
Formula E predicts the Gen4 car will be an average of 10 seconds faster per lap than the Gen3 in qualifying mode. In Attack Mode, Gen4 produces up to 600kW of power, a 71% increase in base output over the Gen3 Evo, delivering performance that pushes the limits of electric racing. Gen4 is the only single-seater race car with permanent all-wheel drive.
The on-track demonstration highlighted Gen4’s performance in real conditions, with overtaking laps against Gen1, Gen2 and Gen3 models showing a clear step forward in capability. Set to debut in the 2026/27 season, Gen4 is expected to deliver lap times at least five seconds faster on street circuits than the Gen3 Evo.
In addition to outright performance, sustainability remains a central pillar of innovation for Gen4, which will be the world’s first racing car that is 100% recyclable, with at least 20% recycled materials across key components. Its tires are made from 65% natural and recycled materials, including 30% certified natural rubber, and the battery contains no rare earth minerals. At a broader level, Formula E remains the first global sport certified to the BSI Net Zero Pathway Standard and the first motorsport series in the world to achieve B Corp Certification.
Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said, “Gen4 isn’t just a car, it’s a statement of intent. Seeing what it can do on track for the first time is a real milestone for Formula E – we are now delivering performance levels that were thought impossible for electric vehicles just five years ago. The step up in performance is immediately clear, from the speed and power to the way it delivers on track, and there was a genuine buzz among everyone who witnessed it. This is a hugely exciting moment for the championship as we head into the upcoming 2026/27 season, and a clear signal of where we are headed.”
Dodds continued, “This is just the beginning, as its refinement is now in the hands of our manufacturers – Porsche, Jaguar, Stellantis, Nissan, Lola Cars and Mahindra – to push development to even higher limits of performance ahead of its racing debut later this year. Gen4 isn’t just an evolution, it’s a step change in innovation and performance that will redefine motorsport for years to come.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president, FIA added, “The new Gen4 Formula E car marks a significant step forward for electric racing, setting a new global benchmark for performance, innovation and sustainability.”
He continued, “collaboration has been central to the development of this car, and it will continue to be at the heart of a new era for the championship defined by greater performance, road relevance and excitement. We are redefining what is possible alongside some of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers using the laboratory of motorsport.”
Gen4 will also introduce enhanced safety features, including a wider cockpit for increased hand clearance and power steering to help mitigate steering loads during impacts, while intensifying the driver challenge at the highest level of motorsport. It has also been designed with improved adjustability in the driving position, helping to level the playing field and re-engineering the sport for inclusivity at the top level.
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