Porsche unveils new Formula E race car, the '975 RSE'

What is the Porsche 975 RSE?

Porsche has unveiled its next-generation Formula E race car, the "975 RSE".

This single-seater car complies with the regulations for the fourth generation of Formula E vehicles and is scheduled to be used from next season.

This is what's known as "GEN4," and it's said to be the biggest performance improvement in electric motorsport to date, with an output of 600kW (816PS), permanent four-wheel drive, new tires, and significantly increased downforce.

The top speed is expected to reach 335 km/h.

According to Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, when the championship started in 2014, drivers needed two cars for each race because one battery wasn't enough to cover the entire distance of the race.

However, those days are over. Since 2024, Porsche has been developing vehicles that reach the same level as Formula 2 cars, and it is said that EVs are not only catching up to those standards, but their strengths are becoming increasingly apparent both on the track and on public roads.

Increased downforce improves performance.

For the first time, aerodynamic downforce has significantly improved the grip of Formula E cars.

Combined with the new tires and permanent four-wheel drive, cornering speed is said to be significantly improved.

According to Olivier Champenois, Technical Project Leader for Formula E at Porsche Motorsport:

"In the last 10 years, Formula E has become incredibly fast, and aerodynamic downforce is now essential. However, downforce always comes with air resistance and increases energy consumption. Therefore, to prioritize efficiency, we use two different aero packages with different bodywork components: a low-downforce package that reduces air resistance in races, and a high-downforce package for qualifying where energy consumption is not as critical. This achieves a downforce increase of up to 1501 TP1T compared to the GEN3 Evo."

And that.

Developed in-house by Porsche: Lighter weight, greater durability, and cost-effectiveness.

The current Formula E Porsche, the highly efficient third-generation Evo Porsche 99X Electric, already far exceeds the 97% in drivetrain efficiency, with energy loss from battery to wheels being less than 3%, which is due to friction in mechanical parts, etc.

The 975RSE boasts a peak output 71% higher than its predecessor, while simultaneously reducing the weight of many components. Despite having more components developed in-house for GEN4 than for GEN3, the total weight of the component package only increased by 5kg.

In Formula E, manufacturers primarily develop technological components related to electric vehicles, and their in-house development includes:

• Operating software
• Pulse inverter
• Electric motor
• Gearbox
• Differential
• drive shaft
• Other drivetrain components on the rear axle
• Rear cooling
• Career
• Suspension components

This includes:

With the introduction of GEN4, several additional components were added, including a DC/DC converter, brake-by-wire system, other electronics and wiring harnesses, and a hydraulic differential control unit.

However, for cost reasons, it seems that the battery will remain a standard supply component and development is not permitted.

Same concept, faster races

The current 99X Electric is the most successful Formula One car in Porsche's history, having won four world championship titles in the past three seasons.

This car is scheduled to make its final race appearance in the season-ending race in London in August, and the newly announced 975 RSE will make its racing debut in December.

Incidentally, the model name of this car is said to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Porsche Motorsport in 2026.

With a racing debut in December, there is still time until October to develop the most comprehensive hardware package possible, and from October onwards, development will shift its focus to continuous software optimization.

So, we can expect the vehicle to be even more complete by December (October).

The 975 RSE will make its first track run in November 2025, and has already completed 1,860 kilometers of test driving by early April 2026. Porsche customer teams are also planning to test the new car in the fall before the FIA officially approves its specifications.

Porsche 975 RSE preliminary technical data

Model name	Porsche 975 RSE
Drive output	・Normal mode: 450kW (612PS) Attack mode: 600kW (816PS)
Drive system	Permanent four-wheel drive
acceleration performance	0–100km/h: approx. 1.8 seconds
Energy Regeneration	• Maximum regenerative output of 700kW (brake energy regeneration) Approximately 40-50% of the driving energy per race is supplied by brake energy regeneration.
brake	• Regenerative braking system: Provides a maximum electric braking output of 350kW on both the front and rear axles. - Depending on brake pressure: Additional deceleration via friction brakes (brake-by-wire system) Brake disc outer diameter (front and rear): 275mm
tire	• Bridgestone tires (for dry and wet conditions) (Two sets per race weekend and per car; three sets for doubleheaders) • Bridgestone rain tires (for heavy rain) (One set is allowed per race weekend and per car; an additional set can be used for double-headers.)
Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS)	Lithium-ion battery Standard supply components • Usable energy capacity: 51.25kWh
CCS charging system	Designed to support ultra-fast charging with a maximum charging output of 600kW.
Weight and dimensions	• Weight: 954kg (excluding driver) ・Total length: max. 5540mm ・Overall width: max. 1800mm ・Overall height: max. 1150mm Wheelbase: 3080mm Front tread: 1482mm Rear tread: 1443mm
Aerodynamic performance	Two types of aerodynamic packages that allow you to set downforce and drag to high or low.
Key in-house developed components	DC/DC converter, pulse inverter, electric motor, gearbox, electronics and wire harness, front and rear differential (including control unit), other drivetrain components of the driveshaft and rear axle, as well as cooling, carrier and suspension components of the rear axle, brake-by-wire system, and control software.
Major standard components	Chassis and bodywork, wheels and tires, drivetrain, front axle cooling and suspension components, energy storage devices

Source:(Official) Porsche presents Formula E race car 975 RSE

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