On the penultimate day of public pre-season tests for Formula E's sophomore year, Abt FormulaE team and its exclusive technology partner Schaeffler unveiled the "ABT Schaeffler FE01" race car with the new powertrain and livery.
Following a successful inaugural year in which the Abt team finished 3rd with 165 points with the standard-specification cars, Season 2 will feature new drivetrains.
Schaeffler's core element is the electric motor named ‘ABT Schaeffler MGU 01.’ The project was focused on achieving the best possible efficiency, high reliability and optimal thermal management due to modified cooling.
Chief Technology Officer, Prof. Peter Gutzmer said at the livery unveil: “Our motor has better torque and better efficiency than its predecessor. The first
meetings took place about ten months ago and, only half a year later, the first parts were produced. The timing is tight, as always in motorsports, but we’re on schedule.”
Schaeffler also developed a new transmission that is coordinated with the motor and was produced by Hewland according to special specifications. It is stiffer and more compact. The team has decided to adopt a 3-speed option to achieve minimise the number of shifting events per lap.
The suspension has also been optimized and the control software for all the components is brand new.
“For us, it was clear from the beginning that we wouldn’t do anything by halves. That’s why we looked at all the areas released by the regulations and developed optimized solutions of our own together with our partners,” says Prof. Peter Gutzmer.
He also admits that Schaeffler's commitment to Formula E is an ideal way of being at the forefront of automotive technology and sets an example for their engineers to push limits and to seek competition – in production just like in motorsports.
At the launch, the new livery features a slight modification of the paint scheme; more yellow to match Schaeffler's increased involvement with the team and the latest addition is the blue "VW" Volkswagen logo on the car and their race suits. The Volkswagen brand is showing its commitment to Formula E as the team’s strategic partner. (Audi with whom Abt has great partnership, is part of the VW group).
Other partners from Season 1 including Wurth Elektronik, Deutsche Post, DHL and Warsteiner re-affirm their commitment to the team in its second year. Also continuing their relationship is German football cup winner VfL Wolfsburg and sunglasses maker, TITANflex.