JEAN-ÉRIC VERGNE AND ANDRÉ LOTTERER, DS PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT DRIVERS
DS Performance's private development programme starts as the clock ticks down to the start of the 2018/2019 FIA Formula E Championship.
In their role as development drivers for DS Performance, Jean-Éric Vergne and André Lotterer have driven DS Automobiles’ new all-electric single-seater, DS E-Tense FE 19 at Calafat, Spain. DS Automobiles will be the only French carmaker involved in Formula E from next season.
DS Performance, which has been active in Formula E since 2015, is busy preparing for the revolution that the championship is due to undergo at the end of 2018. With the start of Season 5 of the globally popular series approaching fast, the French manufacturer has already taken the wraps off DS E-TENSE FE 19, a ‘Gen2’ all-electric single-seater racing car capable of covering a complete Formula E e-prix without pitting.
Thanks to the innovative technical solutions it packs, as well as to close dialogue between DS Performance with the experts tasked with developing the brand’s upcoming electrified road cars, DS E-TENSE FE 19 features a 250kW motor, a 54kWh battery, a new braking system and a power-regeneration capacity of 250kW.
To contribute to the new car’s research and development programme, Jean-Éric Vergne and André Lotterer have performed testing work at Circuito de Calafat in Spain with DS Performance.
Said Xavier Mestelan Pinon (Director, DS Performance): “Our Formula E programme is gaining momentum. Even as we continue to battle for this season’s remaining race wins and the 2017/2018 titles, development of DS E-TENSE FE 19 is moving forward fast. The features we decided to incorporate at the design stage of our new ‘Gen2’ all-electric car have all been signed off after the early test sessions and we are now beginning to fine-tune the different systems. This work requires input from fast, experienced drivers and who could be better qualified for the job than the guy who is leading the championship? Feedback from both drivers has been very positive and indicates that we are working in the right direction.”
Said Jean-Éric Vergne: “It’s been great to experience DS E-TENSE FE 19 and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so. In Formula E, we have very limited time in the car so any opportunity to have some track time is extremely valuable. As a customer team, we do not have our own Gen2 car yet, so when the opportunity arose to test the Gen2 car, we simply couldn’t say no.”
Said André Lotterer: “DS E-Tense FE 19 is absolutely fantastic to drive, and I can’t wait to have some more time in it. It has more grip, power, and it will be very interesting to see what the lap time difference will be, as we expect it to drop considerably. I’d like to thank DS Performance for the opportunity to drive their Gen2 car.”
The commitment of DS Automobiles to Formula E fits perfectly with the brand’s resolute policy that has already seen the launch of DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE 4×4 which is equipped with a petrol engine and two electric motors for a total power output of 300 horsepower. The first all-electric DS road car will be unveiled at this year’s Paris Motor Show (October 2-14) and electrified versions of all DS models will be available by 2025.