Spark-Renault SRT_01E

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E, also known as the SRT01-e (since the 2015–16 season) or the Spark Gen1 (after the introduction of the successive Gen2 chassis), 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] The car was used until the end of Formula E's fourth season in 2018, after which it was replaced by the SRT05e.[2]

Spark-Renault SRT_01E
CategoryFIA Formula E Championship
ConstructorDallara
Spark Racing Technology
Designer(s)Frédéric Vasseur
SuccessorSRT05e
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon fibre and aluminium monocoque
Suspension (front)Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated with twin dampers and torsion bars
Suspension (rear)Spring
Length5,000 mm (197 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height1,250 mm (49 in)
Axle track1,300 mm (51 in)
Electric motorMcLaren Electronic Systems Motor Generator Unit mid-mounted
TransmissionHewland five-speed sequential paddle-shift gearbox
Battery28kWh Li-ion by Williams Advanced Engineering
PowerMax 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)
Weight898 kg (1,980 lb) including driver (minimum weight required)
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrants Amlin Aguri
Andretti Autosport
Audi Sport Abt
China Racing
Dragon Racing
e.dams
Mahindra Racing
Trulli GP
Venturi Grand Prix
Virgin Racing

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).[3][4] 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.[5] The Formula E organisation ordered 42 cars from Spark Racing Technology. For this order Spark partnered with well renowned formula car manufacturer Dallara.[6]

Michelin was announced as an 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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10][11] 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 featured 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).[12] The design of the RESS is free but must be homologated by the FIA.[13] 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.[14]

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.[15] Drayson Racing and its technical partner QualcommHALO are developing a way to wirelessly charge the car.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18]

Technical specifications

Design
  • Aerodynamics optimized to facilitate overtaking
  • High ride height sensitivity and wide range of suspension set up possibilities to tackle the city centre streets
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Compliant to FIA safety regulations

Technology
  • Use of latest technology
  • Compromise between performance and cost-effectiveness wherever possible
  • Extensive use of composite materials but limited usage of the most expensive carbon-fibres

Dimensions
  • Overall length: 5,000 mm (197 in) (max)
  • Overall width: 1,800 mm (71 in) (max)
  • Overall height: 1,250 mm (49 in) (max)
  • Track width: 1,300 mm (51 in) (min)
  • Ride Height: 75 mm (3 in) (max)
  • Overall weight (inc driver): 888 kg (1,958 lb) (min) // Batteries alone 320 kg (705 lb)

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
  • Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 3 s — Estimated
  • Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140 mph) (FIA limited)

Final performance figures are still to be verified.

Motors
  • MGU by McLaren
  • Maximum of two MGUs allowed
  • MGUs must be linked only to the rear axle
  • The use of traction control is forbidden

Traction battery
  • The traction battery is a 28 kWh Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) and supplies electric energy to the Power Circuit and thus to the traction motor. Any onboard battery electrically connected to the Power Circuit is considered to be an integral part of the vehicle's traction battery

Rechargeable Energy Storage System
  • A Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) is a system that is designed to propel the car via the electric motor. In order to comply they must be:
    • FIA Standard
    • The maximum weight of the Battery Cells and/or Capacitor of the RESS must not be higher than 200 kg
    • All Battery Cells must be certified to UN Transportation Standards as a minimum requirement

Chassis

The Dallara built car features:

  • Chassis / Survival cell — Carbon/aluminium honeycomb structure
  • Front and rear wing — Carbon structures and Aero styling
  • Bodywork — Carbon — Kevlar honeycomb structures

Gearbox

Brakes
  • Standard two separate Hydraulic systems, operated by the same pedal
  • Brake material is a free choice
  • Calipers; the section of each caliper piston must be circular

The body of the calipers must be made from aluminium alloy

Wheels and tyres
  • Bespoke 18" treaded Michelin tyres for use on both wet and dry conditions/surfaces
  • Championship specific wheel dimensions
  • O.Z. Racing Magnesium wheels. Max width — front 260 mm (10 in) / rear 305 mm (12 in). Max Diameter — front 650 mm (26 in) / rear 690 mm (27 in)

Electronics
  • McLaren Electronics ECU/GCU including data logging system
  • Power supply management unit
  • CAN data acquisition pre-equipment
  • FIA Marshalling system
  • Beacon receiver
  • Telemetry is not permitted

Suspension
  • Double-steel wishbones, pushrod-operated, twin-dampers and torsion bars suspension (front) and spring suspension (rear)
  • Adjustable ride height, camber and toe
  • Two way (front) / Four-way (rear) adjustable Koni dampers
  • Adjustable anti-roll bar (front/rear)

Steering system
  • Non-assisted rack and pinion steering system (power assistance is allowed)
  • Steering wheel with dashboard, marshaling display, gear change, and clutch paddles

Safety
  • FIA safety standards including front, side, rear, and steering column impact tests
  • Front and rear roll hoop, impact structures, and monocoque push tests
  • Anti-intrusion survival cell protection panels
  • Wheel-retainer safety cables
  • Extinguisher system (electronically-operated)

Camera equipment
  • Roll hoop, nose cone and face shot camera pre-equipment[20]

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, Studio 397's rFactor 2 and EA's Real Racing 3 mobile game.[21]

References
  1. "Formula E: Is this the future of motor racing?". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  2. "Spark Racing Technology to develop Formula E Season 5 car". Spark Racing Technologies. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  3. "Formula E appoints Lucas di Grassi as test driver". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  4. "Présentation/La Vision". Formulec. Archived from the original on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  5. "McLaren to power new FIA Formula E Championship". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  6. "Dallara to work with FIA Formula E". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  7. "Renault signs as Technical Partner for the FIA Formula E Championship". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  8. "Spark Racing Technology announces partnership with Williams". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  9. "Formula E unveils new Spark-Renault SRT_01E at Frankfurt Motor Show". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  10. "Formula E racing cars make Donington Park debut". Leicester Mercury. 3 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014.
  11. "Results from Formula E's final test at Donington Park". BizNews.com. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014.
  12. Article 251 - Classification et Définitions (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 2012. p. 9.
  13. "INVITATIONTOTENDER FOR SOLE SUPPLY CONTRACT — TENDER SUMMARYANDADDITIONAL TENDER REQUIREMENTS" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  14. "McLaren the power behind Formula E". motorsport.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  15. "Rules & Regulations". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  16. "Technology — Wireless Charging". Drayson Racing. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  17. "Announcing our new wireless agreement with Qualcomm Inc". Drayson Racing Technologies. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  18. "Official Tyre Supplier: Michelin". FIA Formula E. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  19. http://www.topspeed.com/cars/2014-spark-renault-srt_01e-formula-e-race-car-ar159940.html
  20. fiaformulae.com (2014). "FIA Formula E Technical Specifications". Archived from the original on 2015-11-30.
  21. "'Mak Corp Formula E Car Unveiled'". 3 September 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
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