Formula E will introduce its all‑new GEN4 race car for the 2026/27 season, marking the most dramatic performance escalation in the championship’s 12‑year history.
The machine represents a decisive leap in power, energy capacity, regenerative capability and drivetrain sophistication, and its first public demonstration at the Monaco E‑Prix left David Coulthard visibly breathless.
Across four generations, Formula E machinery has evolved from the original GEN1 car — which measured 5000 mm in length, 1050 mm in height and 1780 mm in width, with a 3100 mm wheelbase, a minimum weight of 900 kg including the driver and a maximum power output of 200 kW — to the GEN2, which extended the length to 5200 mm, increased the height to 1063.5 mm and the width to 1800 mm, retained the 3100 mm wheelbase and 900 kg minimum weight, and raised maximum power to 250 kW.
The GEN3 then shortened the car to 5016.2 mm, lowered the height to 1023.4 mm and narrowed the width to 1700 mm, with a reduced wheelbase of 2970.5 mm and a significantly lighter minimum weight of 840 kg, while boosting maximum power to 350 kW and introducing front‑axle regeneration.
Now, the GEN4 arrives as the longest and heaviest Formula E car to date at 5540 mm in length, 1113 mm in height, 1790 mm in width and 954 kg in minimum weight, paired with a wheelbase of 3080 mm and a power output that dwarfs everything before it.
A generational leap in performance
The GEN4 delivers 450 kW of peak race power, a substantial increase over the GEN3 Evo, and reaches 600 kW in ATTACK MODE — equivalent to 804 bhp.
Regenerative capability rises to 700 kW, enabling the car to recover more energy than any previous Formula E machine. Race energy capacity increases by 43%, reaching 55 kWh, which allows drivers to deploy more aggressive strategies and sustain higher performance throughout a race.
The car’s top speed climbs to 335 km/h (208 mph), while its acceleration figures — 0–100 km/h in 1.8 seconds and 0–200 km/h in 4.4 seconds — place it firmly in hypercar territory.
After completing his demonstration run in Monaco, Coulthard captured the sensation succinctly: “The most acceleration I’ve ever experienced around Monaco, and I’ve won here twice.”
He immediately recognised the magnitude of the step: “You can’t compare at all GEN3 to GEN4. GEN3 and GEN3 Evo is state of the art for its time but GEN4 with all‑wheel drive; every exit is acceleration like you’ve never experienced.”
The GEN4 becomes the first open‑wheel race car in history to feature active all‑wheel drive throughout every phase of the race. While the GEN3 Evo permitted AWD only in qualifying, race starts and ATTACK MODE, the new system is permanently active, giving drivers unprecedented traction and agility. This is complemented by unlimited traction control and ABS, enabling them to exploit the car’s immense power with confidence.
Coulthard emphasised how transformative this feels: “Once you’re through an apex you realise the car can take everything you throw at it. It’s just not normal. It’s redefining what a race car can be.”
He added that the combination of AWD and sub‑1000 kg mass produces explosive acceleration: “I’ve driven a lot of cars over the years — I have an understanding with what all‑wheel drive could feel like but a car under 1000 kg with 800+ bhp in old money, that’s an impressive getaway.”
His most vivid description came from the tunnel: “First time through the tunnel, it was like hyperdrive from Star Wars! I’ve been through there thousands of times but never like that.”
Aerodynamics and design: aggressive, modular and purposeful
The GEN4 introduces a more aggressive and unapologetically modern silhouette, supported by a new aerodynamic philosophy. Teams will be able to choose between high‑ and low‑downforce bodywork packages, giving them greater strategic flexibility and allowing them to tailor the car to circuit characteristics and race conditions. Despite its increased size and weight, the GEN4 achieves the highest power‑to‑weight ratio in Formula E history.
The GEN4 also represents the championship’s strongest sustainability statement to date. The car is constructed using 100% reusable materials and incorporates a minimum of 20% recycled content, doubling the recycled proportion of the GEN3 Evo.
Its tyres contain 65% natural and recycled materials, including 30% certified natural rubber. These innovations reinforce Formula E’s status as the world’s first B‑Corp‑certified sport and underline its commitment to pairing elite motorsport performance with rigorous environmental responsibility.
After stepping out of the cockpit, Coulthard summarised the experience with characteristic candour: “Imagining how I’ve just driven it compared to what those guys will do with it… They’ll experience something nobody has in racing. I’m speechless! What a machine!”
