Electric Porsche Taycan is the new Formula E safety car
Porsche’s first all-electric car has been named as the official safety car for the single-seater electric racing series this season.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – in essence the electric equivalent to Formula One – has recruited a new safety car: the all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
To acknowledge all teams participating in the all-electric, single-seat motor racing category, the vehicle is finished in the colours of all 11 teams competing in the Championship, along with the colours of the FIA (one of motorsport’s main governing bodies) and the Formula E.
The distinct paintwork is also claimed to symbolise social values such as diversity and community, while the number ’22’ recognises the number of drivers participating in the emerging series.
“The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is the pinnacle of high performance electrified vehicles,” says Jamie Reigle, CEO of Formula E.
“In designing the Formula E safety car, Porsche reimagined the critical on-track safety function to be a powerful symbol of the championship’s commitment to an electrified future and the unity of the competitors in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”
With Launch Control activated, the flagship variant in the Taycan range develops 560kW, has a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 2.8 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 260km/h.
To meet safety requirements for use on Formula E circuits, the vehicle underwent various modifications. These included installation of a roll cage, racing bucket seats with six-point harnesses, new wiring harnesses, roof-mounted safety car lighting, a Marelli data logging system, flashing lights for the bumpers, and a high-tech communication system.
The Taycan’s racetrack debut will occur at the opening round of the Formula E season on the 28-29 January in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
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