Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Electric
Formula E, the open-wheel EV racing series has finalized the calendar for its inaugural season. Set to kick of in 2014, the races looks like to have been distributed quite evenly across the globe.
Two American races (LA and Miami) along with a pair of South American races in Rio and Buenos Aires round out the contests in the New World. London, Berlin and Rome make up the European leg of the championship, while Beijing, Bangkok and Putrajaya cover Asia.
This news follows a report from Autoweek that Formula E is courting some of the top Formula One teams. According to AW, series organizer Alejandro Agag is already in talks with McLaren, and is of the opinion that one day the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull will take part in the emissions free series.
Despite the current lack of big names, the parts of the Formula E cars look promising. Batteries from Williams are mated to electric motors from McLaren, while Dallara provides the chassis. Like F1, there’s only one tire supplier, although we’re happy to announce it’s Michelin rather than Pirelli. Series test driver Lucas di Grassi showed us just what the FE cars can do with an in-car video a few months ago.
As for drivers, we don’t see Sebastien Vettel leaving his gas-powered racer soon. Formula E could see an influx of retired F1 drivers and GP2 veterans, although Agag told Autoweek “I can’t say any names yet.” The series will kickoff in 2014, in the Italian capital of Rome.
Formula E calendar set at ten races, top F1 teams being courted originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Four years ago Volkswagen came up with the V-Dub Rocks promotion, giving away a free guitar with nearly every new 2007 model. So it came with the slightest sense of deja vu when VW announced a partnership with Fender. This time, however, a guitar isn’t part of the package, and instead, VW will be offering select 2012 models with an all-new Fender Premium Audio System, featuring nine speakers equipped with proprietary Panasonic tech, dual voice coil speakers and extended range tweeters. The first model to get the new system is the hotted-up 2012 Jetta GLI, followed by the all-new mid-size sedan and soon-to-be unveiled 2012 Beetle. Hit the jump for all the details.
