Formula E unleashes Gen4 future in dramatic Paul Ricard debut

Formula E’s electric future roared – silently but spectacularly – into a new era on Tuesday as the FIA sanctioned-series unveiled its groundbreaking Gen4 car with a first on-track run at Circuit Paul Ricard.

Faster, more powerful, and more advanced than anything the series has produced before, the Gen4 machine immediately lived up to its billing.

Capable of over 320 km/h and producing a staggering 804bhp in qualifying trim or Attack Mode, it represents a leap of roughly 70% in performance over its predecessor –numbers that would have seemed fanciful for electric racing just a few years ago.

A bold new chapter

For Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds, the moment marked more than just a technical unveiling.

“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,” commented Dodds.

“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.

“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.”

Dodds added: “Gen4 isn’t just an evolution, it’s a step-change in innovation and performance that will redefine motorsport for years to come.”

The car introduces a host of firsts: permanent all-wheel drive, full recyclability, and a switch to Bridgestone tyres, replacing Hankook. It also grows in size and sophistication, featuring power steering and a redesigned cockpit to improve driver comfort and control.

Setting a new benchmark

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was equally emphatic about the significance of the moment.

“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 said.

“It is not simply just a fast car, it is a statement of intent about the future of this technology. I am proud that the FIA and its partners in Formula E are leading this vision.

“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.”

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With the series’ leading manufacturers including Porsche, Jaguar, and Stellantis already putting early mileage on the car, development is set to accelerate rapidly.

The Gen4 era will officially begin in the 2026/27 season, closing a remarkable chapter that started in 2014 – when Formula E drivers needed two cars per race.

Now, with one machine capable of unprecedented speed and sustainability, the series has taken its biggest step yet toward redefining the limits of electric racing.

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