600kW of power. Permanent four-wheel drive. And a tunnel experience he described as Star Wars' warp speed. Double Monaco Grand Prix winner, and former McLaren, Williams and Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard took to Monte Carlo's inimitable streets to put GEN4 through its paces.
Safe to say he was left blown away.
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"The most acceleration I've ever experienced around Monaco, and I've won here twice" said Coulthard, who entered 246 Grands Prix, winning 13 times over a glittering career at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull Racing - including twice in Monaco, motor racing's crown jewel.
"Imagining how I've just driven it compared to what those guys [Formula E drivers] will do with it... They'll experience something nobody has in racing. I'm speechless! What a machine!"
GEN4 reaches speeds of over 205mph (335kph) 0-100kph in 1.8 seconds and 0-200kph in 4.4 seconds, with a 71% increase in power in ATTACK MODE compared to its predecessor.
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It will have all-wheel drive, power steering and an ergonomic cockpit redesign re-engineering the sport for inclusivity at the elite level.
It's the fourth generation of Formula E racing car in the premier all-electric World Championship's 12-season lifespan to-date. Compared to the current GEN3 Evo machine which Coulthard also steered around Monaco on its debut, the Scot expects the leap to be night and day.
"You can't compare at all GEN3 to GEN4," he continued. "GEN3 and GEN3 Evo is state of the art for it's time but GEN4 with all-wheel drive; every exit is acceleration like you've never experienced.
"Once you're through an apex you realise the car can take everything you throw at it. It's just not normal. It's redefining what a race car can be.
"I've driven a lot of cars over the years - I have an understanding with what all-wheel drive could feel like but a car under 1000kg with 800+bhp in old money, that's an impressive getaway.
"First time through the tunnel, it was like hyperdrive from Star Wars! I've been through there thousands of times but never like that."
What is GEN4? How fast can it go? When does it launch? And what are its specifications?
This all-new next-generation machine is the car that will be further developed and then raced by the teams and manufacturers in the 2026/27 Season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
GEN4: A new era of Formula E is about to begin
Capable of reaching speeds in excess of 335kph, 0-100kph in approximately 1.8 seconds, and 0-200kph in just 4.4 seconds - 1.5 seconds faster than its predecessor - GEN4 will deliver 50% more power in race mode than the current GEN3 Evo race car.
The GEN4 car will be an average of 10 seconds faster per lap than the GEN3 car in qualifying mode. In ATTACK MODE, GEN4 produces up to 600kW of power, a 71% increase in base output over GEN3 Evo, delivering performance that pushes the limits of electric racing. GEN4 is the only single-seater race car with permanent all-wheel drive.
Formula E set for Goodwood Festival of Speed
For the first time in its history, Formula E will head to the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 9-12 July, one of motorsport and the automotive world's most iconic events, as an Official Partner.
Aligning with this year’s theme, ‘The Rivals – Epic Racing Duels’, Formula E will showcase over a decade of electric evolution, through a landmark display featuring every generation of Formula E car, from GEN1 through to the all-new GEN4.
Find out more
GEN4: A new era of Formula E is about to begin
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