Formula E Gen3 Race Car Breaks Indoor Land Speed World Record

In the most recent showdown ahead of the 2023 London Electric Grand Prix, the final race of the 2022-23 Formula E season, Formula E broke the indoor land speed record. The record attempt was successfully held at London’s ExCel Arena, with NEOM McLaren driver Jake Hughes setting a speed of 218.71 km/h on the 346 m straight track. The feat was achieved on a Formula E Gen3 car, which is currently being used for the 2022-23 season, albeit in an “unlocked” “GENBETA” variant, capable of delivering even better performance.

The fact that top speed was achieved on such a short track is noteworthy and demonstrates the sheer acceleration and power of the GENBETA Formula E car, which will ultimately lead to the next generation of Formula E-spec cars. The current race-spec Gen3 Formula E car has a top speed of 322km/h and a rated maximum power of 350kW, with a race limit of 300kW. The record-breaking “unlocked” version has a 400kW increase in power output and offers all-wheel drive for even more power.

The record challenge took the form of a “showdown” between NEOM McLaren’s Jake Hughes and Mahindra Racing’s Lucas di Grassi, with the two drivers easily breaking the previous indoor land speed record of 165.2 km/h. After the two sides conducted three rounds of practice races, they began the official test run. Hughes won the championship with a speed of 218.71 km/h, which was the highest speed between the two drivers in all competitions, including practice races.

The 2023 Formula E Championship will come to an end at the London Electric Grand Prix on July 30, with British driver Jack Dennis of Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team leading the championship. Notably, the season also included the Hyderabad Formula E Grand Prix, the first race of the Formula E championship to be held in India and won by French driver Jean Eric-Vergne.