The FIA has announced completely new technical regulations for electric powered GT cars, which include several technical innovations, including fast charging. The cars built to this set of technical regulations will compete at full-length permanent circuits and will have a similar performance compared to GT3 cars.
The new electric powered GT cars will set new standards for electric vehicles in motor sport in terms of performance and range. Nothing less. They will operate in a similar performance window to the current generation of GT3 cars but will exceed their combustion engine-powered counterparts in areas such as acceleration and qualifying pace.
Cutting-edge Technology
The new class is based on direct manufacturer involvement, with the technical regulations prepared to achieve the right balance between permitting the OEMs to express themselves in terms of creativity and developing cutting-edge technology, while at the same time preventing cost escalation.
The category will be opened open to both specialists in electric vehicle construction without previous combustion engine motor sport experience as well as manufacturers already committed to the GT3 class, who will be able to utilise the architecture and certain design elements of their existing cars and convert them to electric power.
Depending on the base model, the minimum weight of the cars will vary from 1490 to 1530kg, with maximum power reaching 430kW. Setting the weight threshold higher than it is for the GT3 class will limit the use of expensive materials.
Manufacturers will have the freedom to choose their own powertrain set-ups
All of the manufacturers will have the freedom of choosing their own powertrain set-ups, comprised of either two or four electric motors, with both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations allowed.
The cars will also feature dynamic vehicle control that will automatically adjust the torque of each wheel independently based on speed, acceleration, traction and steering angle, thus ensuring that the cars will have supreme handling characteristics.
The first class in electric-powered motor sport not to rely on standardised batteries
The new class will be the first in electric-powered motor sport not to rely on standardised batteries. It will accommodate cars of vastly different architectures with different spaces available to install key components.
Through partnership with industry-leading firm Saft, a subsidiary of Total, the category will allow the manufacturers to build their own bespoke battery layouts based on Saft-supplied cells. Relying on Saft’s 100 years of experience in areas such as aeronautics, space programmes, defence and motor sport, Saft has developed bespoke lithium-ion pouch cells optimised for the needs of the new class.
The cells were designed to allow for 700kW peak regen and 700kW fast recharging that will enable them to replenish to 60% of their capacity within a few minutes during a mid-race pit stop. The charging network will be developed to meet the fast charging requirements and depending on the venue, will include elements of permanent and temporary infrastructure.
Source, images: FIA
