FIA reveals quicker than GT3 all-electric GT series | GRR
The FIA has revealed new details on an all-electric GT category, with a new series mooted to “set new standards for electric vehicles in motorsport in terms of performance and range”.
The maximum amount of power that will be allowed is 582PS (430kW), in cars weighing between 1,490 and 1,530kg. The weight threshold has been set so high to prevent the spiralling use of expensive materials and keep costs under control. Battery capacity is limited to 87kWh.
The cars themselves will vaguely fit the same performance blueprint as current GT3 cars, though at qualifying pace and when accelerating, they’re expected to be quicker. Overall, the goal is to be able to retrofit race-spec EV hardware to existing and future GT3 cars, to streamline the entry process for manufacturers.
Entrants will have a choice between both twin-motor and quad-motor drive, with the sophisticated torque vectoring systems that electric motors permit also being allowed. Curiously, the FIA is keen to have fast-charging during pitstops as a part of this EV GT concept – ambitious, if we say so ourselves… But battery developer Saft says 700kW fast charging could be possible, allowing 60 per cent juice-ups in “a few minutes”.
A first in electric motorsport is scope for battery development, which will encourage the advancement of battery technology that can trickle off the racetrack and onto the road. As FIA president Jean Todt puts it, the FIA has a “vision to make motorsport a laboratory for sustainable mobility”.
"The main technical challenges are battery development, battery integration in the cars and fast charging technology," said FIA technical director Xavier Mestelan Pinon.
"This is crucial to the manufacturers who want to develop road-relevant technology rather than relying on standard components."
So what’s next? Well, more details are due in May, including a name, series format and a possible timeline as to when we can expect the series to debut. Colour us curious...