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Spark-Renault SRT_01E
Spark Renault SRT 01E
Car Details
Manufacturer Flag of Italy Dallara
Flag of France Spark
Model SRT_01E
Designer Flag of France Frédéric Vasseur
Chassis Carbon Fibre/Aluminium monocoque
Motor Flag of the United Kingdom McLaren Electronic Systems
Various after 2014/15
Battery Flag of the United Kingdom Williams Advanced Engineering
Tyres Flag of France Michelin
Formula E Record
Début Flag of China 2014 Beijing ePrix
Last Race Flag of the United Kingdom 2016 London ePrix II
Entries 21 (260 Starts)
Best 1st (2014/15)
Entrants Andretti Formula E; ABT Sportsline; Dragon Racing; NIO Formula E Team; e.Dams; Jaguar Racing; Mahindra Racing; Team Aguri; Techeetah; Trulli; Venturi; Virgin Racing
Poles Wins F.L.s
11 11 11
First Win Flag of China 2014 Beijing ePrix
Final Win Flag of the United Kingdom 2015 London ePrix II
Only Win Unknown
Podiums 34
T.P.s 1,275

The Spark-Renault SRT 01E was an all electric racing car, constructed by Dallara and Spark Racing Technologies ahead of the inaugural 2014/15 FIA Formula E Championship.[1] The SRT_01E (later renamed SRT_01-e, and then just Gen 1)would subsequently serve as the base chassis for FE teams over the next four seasons, with the original specification used in 2014/15 featuring an electric motor built by McLaren and batteries provided by Williams Advanced Engineering.[2]

The 2014/15 edition of FE featured 40 identical SRT_01Es, racing across ten cities in nine countries and three continents, with Nelson Piquet Jr. winning the inaugural campaign.[3] From 2015/16 onwards development of the powertrain was opened up to manufacturers, although they were restricted to developing their own powertrains, leaving the chassis unchanged to form a semi-spec series.[4] Two teams would, however, continue to use the original specification through to the end of the season, before all teams used custom made powertrains for 2016/17 and beyond[5], along with the front wing receiving a slight redesign to a looped wing and small notched cut out to the top of the aero shield.

The SRT_01E chassis was eventually retired at the end of the 2017/18 season, having featured at all 45 of FE's races to that point.[6] It was subsequently replaced by the Spark SRT05e for 2018/19 onwards, with the various examples of the SRT_01E distributed between teams, Formula E Holdings, or sold off.[7]

Competitive History[]

The SRT_01E is the first car to be built for the championship, and will be raced by every team at every round in the inaugural 2014/15 season.[2] A total of forty cars were ordered for the ten teams, with the first shakedown for the entrants being held at Donington Park at the start of July.[2] The 2014 Beijing ePrix saw the SRT_01E make its competitive debut, with Lucas di Grassi taking the first win for the car on behalf of Audi Sport ABT.[8]

At the 2015 Buenos Aires ePrix, however, an inherent weakness in the SRT_01Es design came to fore, causing two almost identical retirements within a few laps of each other.[9] The rear suspension, which through the SRT_01E's unique design, has to support the weight of the batteries, gearbox and electrical systems, failed on both di Grassi and Karun Chandhok's cars during the race.[9] The components that failed have yet to be identified, but the rear suspension is expected to be modified on every car before the 2015 Miami ePrix.[9]

Development History[]

The SRT_01E began to be developed in 2012, with Frédéric Vasseur the original designer.[2] Spark (Vasseur's company) co-developed the chassis with Dallara, while McLaren Electronic Systems were asked to develop the electric motors and electrical equipment.[2] Williams Advanced Engineering were then asked to develop the batteries (capable of delivering up to 200kw (270bhp equivalent) for half an hour), with Renault installing and setting up the systems.[2]

Heidfeld Smash

A serious accident for Nick Heidfeld tests the SRT_01E's strength, with the German walking away unhurt.

Hewland were then asked to develop the sequential gearbox, which were fitted with fixed ratios to lower costs.[2] Michelin were named as the official tyre partner for the series, and hence produced a unique tyre for the SRT_01E.[2] The SRT_01E is capable of producing less than 80db of noise at full speed (ten more than the average petrol road car), a key feature of the car.[2] After the 2015 Buenos Aires ePrix, the rear suspension was redesigned to strengthen the car after several failures, the only major development on the car to date.[9]

Post 2015[]

The SRT_01E becomes the testbed/basis for the eight new manufacturers set to enter the championship for the 2015/16 season.[10] These manufacturers will only be allowed to modify the powertrain, however, leaving Spark to update the rest of their design as they wish.[10] In April 2015, after three days of private testing with Gregoire Demoustier at the wheel, Spark announced that they would be modifying the brake and suspension systems before the new season started.[11]

Specifications[]

The full specifications for the SRT_01E, as stated by the FIA, are shown below:[2]

Dimensions:[]

  • Overall length: 5,000mm
  • Overall width: 1,800mm
    • Track width: 1300mm
  • Overall height: 1250mm
    • Ride height: 75mm
  • Weight (inc. driver): 896kg (320kg batteries)
  • Tyres: Michelin 18" (treaded)
    • Front width: 260mm
    • Front diameter: 650mm
    • Rear width: 305mm
    • Rear diameter: 690mm 
Power & Performance[]
  • Maximum power: 200kw (270bhp)
  • Race mode: 150kw (202.5bhp)
    • FanBoost: 180kw (243bhp) for five seconds
  • Maximum speed: 225kmh (140mph)
  • 0-100kmh (0-62mph): 3.0s

Trivia[]

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E has had an impact on the media as well as accomplishing feats unmatched by any other vehicle.

Honours[]

The SRT_01E was the first car to be homologated for the Formula E Championship, and was the only car used in the inaugural 2014/15 season. It therefore won the maiden FE Championship with Nelson Piquet Jr. at the wheel, before derived versions of the car from Renault e.Dams, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler and Techeetah won the following three editions.

References[]

Images and Videos:

References:

  1. Leggett, Theo, 'Shhh! It's time for Formula E!', bbc.co.uk, (BBC, 04/07/2014), http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28144411, (Accessed 27/04/2015)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 'Overview: Spark-Renault SRT_01E', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 2014), http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/guide/car.aspx?page=1327, (Accessed 27/04/2015)
  3. 'Bird hails ‘unbelievable’ end to season', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 28/06/2015), http://fiaformulae.com/en/news/2015/june/bird-hails-unbelievable-end-to-season.aspx, (Accessed 30/06/2015)
  4. 'Season two test dates revealed', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 20/03/2015), http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2015/march/season-two-test-dates-revealed.aspx, (Accessed 30/04/2015)
  5. 'TEN TEAMS ENTERED FOR THE 2016-17 FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 01/07/2016), http://fiaformulae.com/en/news/2016/july/ten-teams-entered-for-the-2016-17-fia-formula-e-championship/, (Accessed 08/07/2016)
  6. 'Introducing: the Gen2 Formula E car', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 30/01/2018), http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2018/january/introducing-the-gen2-formula-e-car/, (Accessed 30/01/2018)
  7. JAMES GILBOY, 'First-Gen Formula E Cars Will Soon Be up for Sale', thedrive.com, (Time Inc., 16/08/2018), http://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/22935/first-gen-formula-e-cars-will-soon-be-up-for-sale, (Accessed 03/11/2018)
  8. 'di Grassi snatches win after dramatic last corner crash', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 13/09/2014), http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2014/september/lucas-di-grassi-snatches-win-after-dramatic-last-corner-crash.aspx, (Accessed 25/04/2015)
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 'Antonio Felix da Costa wins chaotic Buenos Aires ePrix', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 10/01/2015), http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2015/january/antonio-felix-da-costa-wins-chaotic-buenos-aires-eprix.aspx, (Accessed 27/04/2015
  10. 10.0 10.1 'Eight manufacturers to enter Formula E next season', fiaformulae.com, (FIA Formula E, 23/02/2015), http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2015/february/eight-manufacturers-to-enter-fia-formula-e-from-second-season.aspx (Accessed 27/04/2015)
  11. Freeman, Glenn, 'Revised suspension and brakes for Formula E's second season', autosport.com, (Haymarket Media, 27/04/2015), http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118691?source=latest, (Accessed 27/04/2015)
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