“This is not just a car launch, it’s progress,” declared Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, as he welcomed a new chapter for Formula E. The unveiling of the Gen4, the next-generation electric single-seater, was a powerful statement of intent. To highlight the evolution, the championship lined up all four generations of its cars on the asphalt of Paul Ricard, creating a symbolic moment that AS witnessed firsthand.
Twelve years of racing history merged with the future under the red lights of the French circuit. The four cars stood parallel, ordered by age, ready to burn rubber. For the demonstration, three champions were chosen: Sébastien Buemi in the Gen1 that won him the 2016 title, Nyck de Vries with the Gen2 (2021), and Jake Dennis with the Gen3 (2023). At the wheel of the Gen4 was James Rossiter, the series’ official test driver.
The staggered start clearly showed the progress. The original Gen1 looked ancient, the Gen2 stood out for its aggressive design, and the Gen3 held its own but was visibly left behind by the Gen4’s 50% more power and blistering initial acceleration. The smiles from the championship’s leadership, including founders Alejandro Agag and Alberto Longo, were unmistakable. They know what they have.
The official drivers were all present at the launch, including Pepe Martí, who has yet to test the Gen4 and is eager to get behind the wheel. He will have to wait a few months until Porsche, the manufacturer for Cupra Kiro, has it ready. Its official debut is set for the next pre-season, but the buzz around this new beast is already loud.
“This is what the future looks like,” Ben Sulayem continued. “The Gen4 has been built with performance and sustainability in mind, thanks to strong collaboration between FE and the FIA. We deliver results; it’s a new, faster, and smarter era—a historic moment.” Jeff Dodds, CEO of the championship, called it a special day, joking, “It’s almost like the birth of my third child. We had three goals with this car: drive the transition to electricity, continue betting on sustainability, and have a leading motorsport competition.” Expect nothing less.