Nissan's Involvement in Formula E's Eleventh Season Unveiled
Nissan's Formula E car is set to revolutionise electric performance, thanks to a groundbreaking 600kW dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain. This technology, developed under the upcoming Gen4 regulations, will power Nissan's Formula E cars with around 800bhp, a significant leap from current models [1][2][3].
The new powertrain allows for independent control of power to all four wheels, leveraging Nissan's expertise from models like the Ariya SUV [1][3]. The Gen4 Formula E cars also boast improved power output and energy recuperation capabilities, pushing the boundaries of efficiency and performance on the racetrack [4].
This technology is more than just a racing innovation. Nissan intends to use the advancements made in Formula E as a technology transfer pipeline from race cars to future high-performance road electric vehicles [1][2][3]. Unlike previous practice where developments mostly went from road cars to race cars, the Gen4 Formula E platform is designed so that cutting-edge racing tech, especially around AWD systems, power management, and energy efficiency, informs the design of Nissan’s future production EVs and NISMO performance models.
Prototypes based on standard chassis but featuring Formula E technology are already in development to boost Nissan's electric car performance [2][3]. In essence, Nissan's Formula E program acts as a high-tech incubator for its future electric vehicle lineup.
Nissan's Formula E team, consisting of drivers Norman Nato, Oliver Rowland, reserve and simulator driver Sérgio Sette Câmara, rookie driver Abbi Pulling, and team principal Tommaso Volpe, is focused on pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle performance. The team aims to consolidate its operations in Formula E and continue its progression, fighting for all three championships again in the next season.
Tommaso Volpe, who started his automotive career with Ferrari in 2008 and joined Nissan in April 2020, emphasises the team's focus on helping the drivers maintain focus for the next race, regardless of the outcome. Abbi Pulling, the rookie driver, describes driving a Formula E car as having "insane acceleration," feeling "odd" due to the absence of gears, and requiring the driver to comprehend multiple aspects of the car, including regeneration.
If Nissan wins the Formula E Manufacturer championship, it will mean that Nissan makes the best Formula E car. Currently, only six manufacturers exist in Formula E, and while Nissan has its own car, McLaren also uses a Nissan powertrain. Nissan and McLaren compete for the Team and Manufacturer championships. Nissan has confirmed that Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato will return for the 2025/26 Formula E season.
This collaboration marks a strategic shift, positioning Nissan's Formula E innovations at the core of its electric vehicle development and pushing forward the capabilities of next-generation EVs with enhanced power, efficiency, and driving dynamics [1][2][3].
The Formula E car by Nissan, with its 600kW dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain, is set to revolutionize electric performance in both sports racing and future electric vehicles. Leveraging this technology from Formula E, Nissan aims to transition cutting-edge racing tech, particularly in AWD systems, power management, and energy efficiency, to its production electric vehicles and NISMO performance models.
