Spark-Renault SRT 01E

Spark-Renault SRT_01E
Category FIA Formula E Championship
Constructor Dallara
Spark Racing Technology
Designer(s) Frédéric Vasseur
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon fibre and aluminium monocoque
Suspension (front) Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated with twin dampers and torsion bars
Suspension (rear) Spring
Length 5,000 mm (197 in)
Width 1,800 mm (71 in)
Height 1,250 mm (49 in)
Axle track 1,300 mm (51 in)
Electric motor McLaren Electronic Systems Motor Generator Unit mid-mounted
Transmission Hewland five-speed sequential paddle shift
Battery Williams Advanced Engineering
Power Max power 200 kW (268 hp; 272 PS); power-saving race mode restricted to 150 kW (201 hp; 204 PS); additional 'Push-to-Pass' providing 30 kW (40 hp; 41 PS)
Weight 898 kg (1,980 lb) including driver (minimum weight required)
Tyres Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants Japan Amlin Aguri
United States Andretti Autosport
Germany Audi Sport Abt
China China Racing
United States Dragon Racing
France e.dams
India Mahindra Racing
Switzerland Trulli GP
Monaco Venturi Grand Prix
United Kingdom Virgin Racing

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E is an electric formula race car designed for the inaugural season of Formula E, in 2014–15. The car is the result of a 10-month collaboration between Spark Racing Technology, McLaren Electronic Systems, Williams Advanced Engineering, Dallara and Renault.[1]

Development

After unveiling of Spark Renault SRT_01 E at Frankfurt Motor Show: among others Lucas di Grassi (rightmost, with the steering wheel in his hands) and Alejandro Agag (6th person from left).

Development of the car started in September 2012. Lucas di Grassi was appointed as official test driver, demonstrating the prototype, the Formulec EF01 (built in 2010).[2][3] The Formulec EF01 featured a chassis constructed by Mercedes GP and motors built by Siemens. The car was used for the official promotion video and for demonstrations in host cities.

On 1 November 2012, McLaren Electronic Systems was announced to provide the electric motor, transmission and electronics for Formula E.[4] The Formula E organisation ordered 42 cars from Spark Racing Technology. For this order Spark partnered with well renowned formula car manufacturer Dallara.[5]

Michelin was announced as exclusive tyre supplier on 28 March 2013. On 15 May 2013 Renault was announced as technical partner of Spark Racing Technology. Renault's experience in the Renault Z.E. (Zero Emission) and Formula One programmes will be used to put to Formula E's advantage.[6] On the same day, Formula E unveiled the design of the Spark-Renault SRT_01E.

The battery design was in the hands of Williams Advanced Engineering, part of the Williams Group to which the Formula One team belongs.[7]

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, on 10 September 2013, the Spark-Renault SRT 01E was revealed by FIA president Jean Todt and Formula E Holdings CEO Alejandro Agag.[8]

Daniel Abt in the Audi Sport ABT-skinned car during the 2015 Berlin ePrix.

On 3 July 2014, the first official trial of the cars took place in Donington Park, England. The trial ended around 21 August with each team running all four of their cars completing a combined total of 1222 laps.[9][10] The fastest time was 1:29.920, recorded by the Abt team – a McLaren MP4-12C recorded a lap time of 1:29.679 during the 2012 British GT season.

Technology

RESS

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E will feature a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS). According to Appendix J article 251 3.1.7 of the ISC, the RESS is the complete energy storage device, comprising an energy storage medium (e.g. flywheel, capacitor or battery).[11] The design of the RESS is free but must be homologated by the FIA.[12] Part of the RESS is the traction batteries and the Battery Management System, these are supplied by Williams Advanced Engineering.

Electric motor

The electric motor is built by McLaren Electronic Technologies. The motor weighs 26 kg and produces a maximum of 270 bhp with 140Nm of instant torque. The motor was originally developed for the McLaren P1 road car.[13]

Charging

According to the regulations, the Formula E cars can be charged during practice, qualifying, the race and some other specified moments during a raceweekend.[14] Drayson Racing and its technical partner QualcommHALO are developing a way to wirelessly charge the car.[15] The wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) system uses a pad under a parking space to charge the car. The system is tested on the electric Drayson B12/69EV, a modified version of the Lola B08/60.[16]

Tyres

The car will be shod with 18 inch tyres. The FIA Formula E championship uses a tyre which is suitable for wet and dry conditions. The exclusive tyre supplier Michelin will only make one compound available, so there will be no hard or soft compounds like in Formula 1. The tyre is expected to last the whole race weekend.[17]

Technical specifications

Design

Technology

Dimensions

Power

Maximum power will be available during practice and qualifying sessions. During races, power-saving mode will apply with the 'Push-to-Pass' system temporarily allowing maximum power for a limited time. The amount of energy that can be delivered to the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) by the Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) is limited to 30 kWh. This will be monitored by the FIA.

Performance

Final performance figures are still to be verified.

Motors

Traction battery

Rechargeable Energy Storage System

Chassis

The Dallara built car features:

Gearbox

Brakes

The body of the calipers must be made from aluminium alloy

Wheels and tyres

Electronics

Suspension

Steering system

Safety

Camera equipment

In video games

The series commissioned established sim racing developer MAK-Corp to create the SRT_01E for their Hyperstimulator Simulators for use at promotional events for the series. MAK-Corp's car is not available for public use. The car also features in Turn 10 Studios' game Forza Motorsport 5.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Formula E: Is this the future of motor racing?". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Formula E appoints Lucas di Grassi as test driver". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Présentation/La Vision". Formulec. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "McLaren to power new FIA Formula E Championship". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "Dallara to work with FIA Formula E". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Renault signs as Technical Partner for the FIA Formula E Championship". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Spark Racing Technology announces partnership with Williams". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Formula E unveils new Spark-Renault SRT_01E at Frankfurt Motor Show". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "Formula E racing cars make Donington Park debut". Leicester Mercury. 3 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Results from Formula E's final test at Donington Park". BizNews.com. 21 August 2014.
  11. ↑ Article 251 - Classification et Définitions (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 2012. p. 9.
  12. ↑ "INVITATIONTOTENDER FOR SOLE SUPPLY CONTRACT — TENDER SUMMARYANDADDITIONAL TENDER REQUIREMENTS" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "McLaren the power behind Formula E". motorsport.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  14. ↑ "Rules & Regulations". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  15. ↑ "Technology — Wireless Charging". Drayson Racing. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  16. ↑ "Announcing our new wireless agreement with Qualcomm Inc". Drayson Racing Technologies. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  17. ↑ "Official Tyre Supplier: Michelin". FIA Formula E. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  18. ↑ http://www.topspeed.com/cars/2014-spark-renault-srt_01e-formula-e-race-car-ar159940.html
  19. ↑ fiaformulae.com (2014). "FIA Formula E Technical Specifications".
  20. ↑ "‘Mak Corp Formula E Car Unveiled’". 3 September 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2015.

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