The FIA launches the flagship electric GT class

 

The FIA launches the flagship electric GT class

The FIA ​​unveiled the new GT class for electric motorsport, with the goal of pushing manufacturers to develop batteries, charging and other technologies for high-performance cars on the road.

The maximum power of these vehicles is 430 kW, equivalent to 577 hp, and a minimum weight of between 1490 and 1530 kg.

It uses 87 kW batteries with 700 kW charging technology and regeneration, allowing cars to recover 60 percent of energy within a few minutes during a mid-race stop, according to the federation.

The electric GT segment is nearly identical to the GT3 in performance and speeds (500 hp and 320 km / h).

However, the International Automobile Federation (which rules Formula 1 as well as Formula E) said: Electric GT GT cars outperform their combustion engine counterparts in areas such as: acceleration and faster turns.

Manufacturers are involved in developing electric GT cars, but the FIA ​​is also using common parts to reduce cost escalation.

To that end, manufacturers can create their own battery layouts, but the lithium-ion cells are provided by Saft, a battery company owned by oil giant Total.

Another way the consortium plans to keep costs in check is by allowing manufacturers to adapt the GT3 internal combustion engine platforms.

According to the FIA, manufacturers committed to the GT3 class can take advantage of specific engineering design elements for their existing cars and convert them into electrical power.

GT3s are often adapted from street legal cars like the Porsche GT3, and feature massive rear wings and other aerodynamic modifications to keep that power sticking to the road.

Electric GT cars share those characteristics, based on photos released by the International Automobile Federation.

Other specifications include up to four electric motors, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, acceleration estimated from 0-100 km / h in 2.4 seconds, with vehicle dynamic control included, which automatically and independently adjusts torque to each wheel.