Formula E GEN4: how Nissan’s thrilling new cherry blossom moment can inspire future road car perform
• Permanent all-wheel drive provides an opportunity for even more ‘track to road’ and ‘road to track’ technology transfer thanks to lessons learned from Nissan’s e-4ORCE system
• The London E-Prix moves to the iconic Brands Hatch circuit for a double-header event incorporating a new, more thrilling race format over Spring bank holiday weekend
London, UK – The cherry blossom is synonymous with Japan and now, thanks to Nissan Formula E Team, with truly competitive single-seater racing. The vibrant pink buds of the Sakura have graduated from its racecar’s livery to the walls, uniforms and water bottles found throughout its team headquarters, ready for the sport’s next moment of renewal: the all-new GEN4 car.
What is Formula E GEN4?
GEN4 is the fourth generation of Formula E’s all-electric single-seater race car and represents the championship’s biggest technical step forward since the series began.
How much faster is the Formula E GEN4 car?
Spectators can expect a significantly higher level of performance from the GEN4 grid to up the ante of an already thrilling motorsport series:
• Peak power: 600kW (816hp), up from 350kW (476hp) vs. GEN3 Evo
• The fastest-accelerating FIA-governed race car, with:
• 0-62mph in 1.8 seconds
• 0-124mph in 4.4 seconds
• World’s first permanent all-wheel-drive single-seat race car
• Each team is granted freedom over its differential setup
How does Formula E help develop Nissan’s road cars?
Nissan’s participation in Formula E influences the development of its electrified product lineup through its ‘track to road’ philosophy, translating lessons learned at the highest level of electric competition into tangible, real-world benefits that enhance the driving and ownership experience of its cars. Yet it’s a relationship that flow both ways, the pioneering spirit of the first-generation Nissan LEAF, launched in 2010, ensuring lots of R&D knowhow also travels ‘road to track’ to educate a Nissan Formula E journey which began in 2018.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: ‘The possibility to transfer between the worlds of road and track has become much wider because electrification is a more flexible technology. The same motor can be utilised in many different ways and solutions that are applied in developing a powertrain for Formula E can be also applied to road cars, and vice versa.
‘One of the key reasons Nissan decided to commit to Formula E until 2030 is because we can create this link between our R&D and the car that we are racing. The GEN3 Evo with which we won the driver’s championship last year was heavily influenced by advanced R&D in Japan in the development of its hardware, specifically the gearbox and the motor. This influence massively improved the energy efficiency of its powertrain.
‘Our e-4ORCE technology proves Nissan is one of the leaders in all-wheel drive technology. There is a huge opportunity with GEN4 to transfer the strong expertise of Nissan in all-wheel drive to Formula E cars and then back into our road cars. In motorsport you are simply using the same technical solutions in a context which is much more extreme.’
The spirit of Godzilla
All-wheel-drive holds a special place in the heart of both Nissan’s motorsport and performance car history, with the remarkable R32-generation Skyline GT-R earning the now iconic Godzilla nickname after claiming a 100 per cent win record in Japanese touring cars, back-to-back Bathurst 1000 wins and the top step of the podium at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
All-wheel-drive has been the bedrock of Nissan’s halo performance cars since and its latest e-4ORCE setup is a renowned piece of technology that brings safety and agility to mainstream electrified road cars, most notably the X-Trail e-POWER and all electric Ariya, with even more focused applications to come.
The world’s most sustainable race car
Formula E is also driving forward sustainability on both road and track, with the GEN4 regulations its most responsible yet
Key sustainability measures include:
• More than 40% of race energy generated through regenerative braking
• Target of 100% reusable construction
• Minimum 20% recycled materials used throughout the vehicle
• Battery contains no rare earth minerals
• Tyres made from 65% natural and recycled materials
Formula E also remains the first global sport certified to the BSI Net Zero Pathway Standard and the first motorsport championship to achieve B Corp Certification for environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
Legendary circuits, more thrilling races
The GEN4 car introduces power steering and a more flexible cockpit design to make the sport safer and more inclusive, helping maintain the trademark, tightly packed racing that Formula E continues to manifest. Season 13 is the sport’s most expansive yet, its provisional 2026-27 calendar welcoming some legendary circuits including Zandvoort, Circuit of the Americas and the UK’s Brand Hatch, which will host the 2027 London E-Prix over Spring bank holiday weekend (May 29 and 30). A new, high downforce ‘E-Prix Unleashed’ race format makes its debut at double header events.
Sam Bird, Nissan Formula E Team reserve and development driver, has competed in the sport since its inaugural season, placing him among the few drivers to have extensively driven every generation of Formula E car – with race wins in each one so far. He’s dedicating crucial hours on track and in the team simulator to help explore the fullest possibility of the GEN4 rulebook.
Sam Bird, reserve and development driver, Nissan Formula E Team:
‘Formula E has evolved enormously and is now almost a different category. The power output, the driving quality, the technology involved – everything has gone through the roof. GEN4 represents our biggest jump yet, with almost double the output, and it’s an enormous amount of power under your right foot. It feels like you’re leaving your physical body behind and pushing forward. It’s quite unbelievable to drive.
‘It’s going to be thrilling for spectators to see 22 of the world’s best drivers going 200mph-plus in these awesome machines. Some of the pack races can be so entertaining. You’ve got drivers who’ve qualified at the back yet still have the quality to win the race. You can’t say that about any other category.
‘What truly sets Formula E apart as a race series is the relevance of its technology. We’re able to supply Nissan with relevant software that can then be placed into the production line to make its road cars of tomorrow more advanced and efficient.’
Oliver Rowland, driver, Nissan Formula E Team:
‘GEN4 is a huge step in the right direction for Formula E. It will look impressive from the outside and all the drivers are really excited about it. I think it will give Formula E even more credibility and drivers from other categories will have even more respect for it. When we compare lap times, I’m sure we’ll see a big jump forward.’
‘The power the GEN4 car has is quite eye-opening. The high downforce offers lots of grip compared to what we’re used to and there’s so many new technical options, with the differential, four-wheel drive and more power on the front axle. We’ve got almost double the power, so the acceleration is incredible and everything happens a lot faster.’
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team:
‘The GEN4 car is another animal. I think people will be surprised by its performance and it will help convince the very few old traditional motor sport fans who are still sceptical about Formula E to appreciate this sport.’
Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E:
‘We are incredibly proud to unveil our biggest and most ambitious calendar to date. Expanding to 21 races across 13 iconic cities is a huge milestone, and welcoming world-renowned tracks like COTA in Austin, Zandvoort, and Brands Hatch provides the ultimate stage to showcase our new GEN4 era. The tracks are faster, the competition is fiercer, and we cannot wait to get this historic season underway.’
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Formula E GEN4?
GEN4 is the fourth generation of Formula E’s all-electric race car. It introduces higher performance, permanent all-wheel drive and improved sustainability ahead of Season 13.
How fast is the Formula E GEN4 car?
The GEN4 car produces 600kW (816hp), accelerates from 0–100km/h in 1.8 seconds and has a top speed of 335km/h.
What is Nissan e-4ORCE?
e-4ORCE is Nissan’s advanced all-wheel control technology that improves traction, stability and ride comfort by precisely managing power delivery and braking across all four wheels.
How does Formula E benefit Nissan’s road cars?
Nissan uses Formula E as a development platform to test technologies that can improve the efficiency, performance and control of future electrified production vehicles.
When does the GEN4 era begin?
The Formula E GEN4 car will debut at the start of Season 13 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Photo credit: Nissan
Posted on Autotech-plus.com
Related Posts
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments