Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 Formula E car launched with 469bhp

The first of the third-generation Formula E contenders has been revealed. Here’s the Porsche 99X.

Porsche has revealed its 99X Electric Formula E car in Italy, giving us an official look at our first third-generation Formula E racer. Now with a significant increase in power, a reduction in weight and a boost in efficiency over previous cars, the series is set to be more exciting than ever before.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Due to make its race debut in January at the Mexico City E-Prix, the 99X will go head-to-head with entries from the likes of Jaguar, McLaren and Maserati among a fresh grid of next-generation racers. As the technology has advanced since Formula E’s 2014 inception, the FIA has tweaked regulations to allow for more entertaining racing, while improving safety and overall performance with each generation.

> WEC’s Le Mans Hypercar and LMDh contenders in full

Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E, said: 'The new Gen3 vehicles, including our Porsche 99X Electric Gen3, will hopefully make the races even more spectacular for fans and give the popularity of Formula E worldwide even more of a boost.'

New on the 99X is a smaller battery but thanks to advances in cell technology, it holds more capacity than before. As a result, weight is lower, with the wheelbase shortened and the track narrower than before for increased agility. Perhaps the most significant change is to output, with power rising from 335bhp to a potent 469bhp from its new Porsche Motorsport-developed powertrain.

Despite an increase in power, efficiency has seen a significant improvement in the 99X, with the new system able to recover up to 600kW of energy under deceleration, twice the amount of Gen2 cars – brake-by-wire friction brakes are also included for use once that capacity has been expended.

Though not particularly relevant to spectators, the Porsche 99X will also be able to take advantage of Formula E’s new ‘ultra-high-speed’ charging infrastructure, capable of adding up to 600kW of energy – for reference, the most powerful public chargers for road cars can currently output 350kW.

The design is somewhat divisive, intended to appeal to a 'young audience' with its angular aesthetic and open-wheel format. Stack the 99X head-to-head with the Gen2 car and there's a significant reduction in overall volume, with its appearance smaller thanks to the removal of wheel arches and a simplification of the front and rear aero.

This being Formula E, sustainability is also a high priority, with the third generation cars utilising battery cells made from sustainably sourced minerals, and each of these reused or recycled once the season is over. Even the carbonfibre bodywork helps to reduce Formula E’s carbon footprint, with each car featuring recycled materials from retired Gen2 racers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Kalmar’s 9X9 is a modern-day Porsche 959 with 917bhp
Kalmar 9X9
News

Kalmar’s 9X9 is a modern-day Porsche 959 with 917bhp

Estonian engineering firm Kalmar Automotive has revealed its take on the iconic Porsche 959 of the ‘80s
16 Aug 2024
Tuthill’s new GT One is the Porsche 911 GT1 reincarnated
Tuthill GT One
News

Tuthill’s new GT One is the Porsche 911 GT1 reincarnated

Historic Porsche specialist Tuthill is getting in on the reimagined game, revealing the GT One at Monterey Car Week
16 Aug 2024
Porsche 984 Junior – dead on arrival
Porsche 984 Junior
Features

Porsche 984 Junior – dead on arrival

This miniature marvel could have seen Porsche enter the ’90s with a truly affordable entry-level sports car
11 Jan 2024
Why Rennsport Reunion is the world's best Porsche gathering
Rennsport Reunion 2023
Features

Why Rennsport Reunion is the world's best Porsche gathering

It’s the world’s greatest gathering of racing Porsches. We join the legions of fans – and the legendary drivers and engineers – at Laguna Seca for the…
3 Dec 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

UK government set to ban ​pure petrol and diesel cars from 2030
Exhaust
News

UK government set to ban ​pure petrol and diesel cars from 2030

The government plans to reinstate the 2030 ban on the sale of pure ICE cars, but hybrid models would survive until 2035
17 Sep 2024
Audi e-tron GT 2024 review – more than a Taycan in different clothes?
Audi e-tron GT – front
Reviews

Audi e-tron GT 2024 review – more than a Taycan in different clothes?

Audi’s new e-tron GT packs a host of powertrain and chassis upgrades you’ll also find in the latest Taycan. Is it the ultimate electric grand tourer? …
16 Sep 2024
Peugeot 508 PSE v Skoda Octavia vRS – fast family estates do battle
Peugeot 508 PSE v Skoda Octavia vRS – front
Group tests

Peugeot 508 PSE v Skoda Octavia vRS – fast family estates do battle

We pitted Peugeot’s eccentric 508 SW PSE up against the Skoda Octavia vRS to find out which hot estate is best
14 Sep 2024