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Spark Renault SRT 01E

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Designer(s)
  
Frédéric Vasseur

Suspension (rear)
  
Spring

Spark-Renault SRT 01E

Category
  
FIA Formula E Championship

Constructor
  
DallaraSpark Racing Technology

Chassis
  
Carbon fibre and aluminium monocoque

Suspension (front)
  
Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated with twin dampers and torsion bars

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E 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.

Contents

Development

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

Michelin was announced as 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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

RESS

The Spark-Renault SRT_01E will feature 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). The design of the RESS is free but must be homologated by the FIA. 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.

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. Drayson Racing and its technical partner QualcommHALO are developing a way to wirelessly charge the car. 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.

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.

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

  • Max power (limited): 200 kW (268 hp), approx 230 N·m (170 ft·lbf) torque (estimated)
  • Race mode (power-saving): 170 kW (228 hp)
  • FanBoost: Additional 30 kW (40 hp)
  • Power-to-weight ratio: 0.30 hp/kg.

    • 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

  • Hewland paddle shift sequential gearbox
  • Fixed gear ratios to reduce costs

    • Brakes

  • Standard two separate Hydraulic systems, operated by the same pedal
  • Brake material is 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

    • 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.

    References

    Spark-Renault SRT 01E Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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