FIA Formula E Championship

Malt_Vinegar · 22 May 2014 at 10:54

Have we seen them on track in anger yet? I think the only footage I have seen is a slow installation type lap

Spanker · 24 May 2014 at 17:17

Malt_Vinegar said:
Have we seen them on track in anger yet? I think the only footage I have seen is a slow installation type lap

I watched a clip about them a while back they sound just like a big rc car.

sunama · 25 May 2014 at 00:05

Should the cars not be virtually silent? Perhaps the only way you can tell an e-car is coming your way, is the tyre noise.

Are there any videos of e-cars, doing a lap?

Glaucus · 25 May 2014 at 00:07

sunama said:
Should the cars not be virtually silent? Perhaps the only way you can tell an e-car is coming your way, is the tyre noise.

Are there any videos of e-cars, doing a lap?

Not silent at all and yep, several videos in this thread somewhere and yep sounds like giant rc car.

Skeeter · 25 May 2014 at 01:16

sunama said:
Should the cars not be virtually silent? Perhaps the only way you can tell an e-car is coming your way, is the tyre noise.

Are there any videos of e-cars, doing a lap?

They are incredibly loud for electric cars.

Glaucus · 25 May 2014 at 10:53

I just hope the rules aren't to strict and we see batteries lasting longer and longer each season and times each season tumbling. This is what electric racing needs.

A new highest performance lithium battery is now on sale about 10% more than the current highest and by the end of this year they say they'll have a new one which will be 20% better.

Teams should be free to change battery suppliers and even better would be go to labs and take prototype batteries to at least small scale production. And increase motor BHP. First you want them running a full race with one car, then allow them to increase BHP.

englishpremier · 25 May 2014 at 11:55

I don't like the look of the cars. They seem to lack downforce, at least it did in that video.

Also whats with the partially covered wheels? It helps aero but it looks gash, just like in Indycar except worse as these have it at the front too.

Still, I'm looking forward to the series.

Glaucus · 25 May 2014 at 12:00

Well they have a lot less downforce to make straight line faster as well as following distance. Combines with all electric, all the torque instantly.

And wheel covers massively increase efficiency.

Glaucus · 25 May 2014 at 15:20

Mahindra racing is expected to announce Bruno Senna and Karun Chandok as their drivers any day now.

ShakenNstirred · 25 May 2014 at 23:50

at work(DHL) on Friday we were all given F1 e polo shirts
because we now do the Logistics for the races.
we already do the F1 cars in and out of the uk and now they added formula E

Skeeter · 26 May 2014 at 00:32

What other FIA series do you do? Seems like you must be doing a good job if your getting extra work from the FIA.

How are the batteries charged? There's going to be some fairly hefty stuff that needs to be flown around the world.

sunama · 26 May 2014 at 09:00

Skeeter said:
They are incredibly loud for electric cars.

Thanks.
Your cars in the video sound like a whirring sound.
Much louder than I'd have thought.

Just to clarify, are these 100% non petrol cars?

Kenai · 26 May 2014 at 11:08

sunama said:
Thanks.
Your cars in the video sound like a whirring sound.
Much louder than I'd have thought.

Just to clarify, are these 100% non petrol cars?

Yes, battery and electric motor only. No top up or boost from any sort of ICE

Jonnycoupe · 27 May 2014 at 10:36

Glaucus said:
A new highest performance lithium battery is now on sale about 10% more than the current highest and by the end of this year they say they'll have a new one which will be 20% better.

Where can I buy them from?

Glaucus · 27 May 2014 at 10:42

Jonnycoupe said:
Where can I buy them from?

Pass, as they only sale to OEMs atm.

Their called Amprius and are likely to be in some smartphones already, or will be very soon.

And Chandhok and Senna are now officially confirmed
http://post.jagran.com/karun-chandhok-bruno-senna-reunite-for-formula-e-championship-1401105074

SP Shukla, Chairman of Mahindra Racing, said: “Both Karun and Bruno come with very strong racing pedigrees and have successfully competed in a variety of racing series over the past few years. The entire team looks forward to working with both of them to optimise the performance of our racing car over the next few months of testing before the start of racing in September this year.”

Chandhok, 30, said: “I’m very excited to be a part of the Mahindra Racing line-up. The team are showing a lot of commitment to Formula E and it’s very encouraging to see the support of senior members of the group to this programme. To be a part of the only Indian team in this series is a real honour for me. It's also going to be a nice reunion for me with Bruno again. He's one of my closest friends from the racing world; we respect each other and work well together which will be good for the development of the team."

Senna, also 30, added: “There is a real ambition within the team to be leaders in Formula E from the start. It’s also an exciting prospect to be part of such a revolutionary championship from the beginning."

Kol · 27 May 2014 at 13:04

Are the current wheels temporary? They look like standard road wheels/tyres and don't suit the car IMO.

Glaucus · 27 May 2014 at 13:07

Kol said:
Are the current wheels temporary? They look like standard road wheels/tyres and don't suit the car IMO.

Nope. One all weather tyres. So no carrying wet weather tires around which hardly ever get used.

Jonnycoupe · 27 May 2014 at 13:13

Glaucus said:
Pass, as they only sale to OEMs atm.

Their called Amprius and are likely to be in some smartphones already, or will be very soon.

Whats that got to do with Formula E batteries then? Considering the pilot production of those is mid 2014. Formula E should be way ahead of any commercialisation projects?

Glaucus · 27 May 2014 at 13:15

Jonnycoupe said:
Whats that got to do with Formula E batteries then?

you're the one who asked where to get them.
My point was I hope FIA don't limit the rules so teams can't use such batteries to gain an advantage. As I said when you quoted me.

Malt_Vinegar · 27 May 2014 at 13:24

Kol said:
Are the current wheels temporary? They look like standard road wheels/tyres and don't suit the car IMO.

F1 will go the same way soon hopefully, with the larger wheels. Its just because people are used to seeing F1 cars which only use the 13 inch wheels due to the regulations. Cost is a factor, but there are more types of racing with 14 inch+ wheels than there are 13 inch wheels. So a lot of that technology should be at least partially transferable.

Cool - Article : http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/09/27/should-f1-switch-to-18-inch-wheel-rims/

FIA Formula E Championship

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