Jaguar unveils the appearance of its GEN4 development car

The unveiling of Jaguar's GEN4 prototype_TYPE is not limited to a simple aesthetic presentation. Through this car In terms of development, Jaguar is already showcasing a very concrete vision for the future of the sport. Team principal Ian James sums up the ambition: “We are delighted to unveil the Jaguar GEN4 prototype_TYPE as we continue our preparations for this exciting new era of the Formula EOur unique test livery reflects not only Jaguar TCS Racing's journey in Formula E, but also the enormous technological and performance evolution achieved over these ten years of competition.

This choice of livery is not insignificant. Inspired by simulated data on the Monaco circuit, it visually represents the progress made since the manufacturer's arrival in 2016. A way of telling the story of the discipline's evolution through pure performance. “Formula E is the ideal platform for Jaguar to be at the forefront of technological innovation in electric vehicles, and the GEN4 marks another decisive step for the championship. The sheer speed of these all-electric cars is incredible, and we can’t wait to take Jaguar’s prototype_TYPE GEN4 to the track.”, continues Ian James.

An unprecedented leap in performance

Behind this announcement lies a profound transformation of Formula E standards. The GEN4 marks a clear break with the current generation, particularly in terms of power. While the GEN3 Evo cars are capped at 350 kW during races, the new regulations allow up to 600 kW in qualifying and attack mode. This evolution radically changes the character of the cars. Projections from Jaguar's in-house simulator provide an initial glimpse of this gain. On a circuit like Monaco, the GEN4 could reach 277 km/h exiting the tunnel, more than 30 km/h faster than the current generation and nearly 80 km/h faster than the first cars entered by the manufacturer.

Beyond top speed, the entire lap is impacted, with much more aggressive acceleration and energy recovery phases. This increase in power is accompanied by major structural innovations, starting with the introduction of permanent active all-wheel drive. A first for an open-wheel single-seater, this profoundly alters the dynamic balance and driving strategies.

An expanded technology platform

The GEN4 is not just faster. It significantly expands the scope of intervention for manufacturers, particularly in the development of the powertrain and electronic systems. Jack Lambert, head of technical integration, emphasizes this point: “The GEN4 era represents a tremendous opportunity for Jaguar. As a manufacturer, we are constantly learning from the development of our own racing powertrain, and the expanded scope for manufacturers within GEN4 will allow us to remain at the forefront of innovation in electric track technology, with a view to the next generation of all-electric Jaguar road cars.”

This expansion of the manufacturer's scope now includes key elements such as regenerative braking systems, capable of reaching up to 700 kW, as well as custom electronic and software components. This development strengthens the link between competition and production, which is central to the strategy. "race-to-road" from the British manufacturer. In this context, Formula E is proving itself more than ever as an open-air laboratory. The innovations tested on the track are intended to be transferred to production models, accelerating the development of electric technologies.

A much-anticipated demonstration on the track

Beyond the figures and projections, the true validation will come on the track. The first public outing of the GEN4 prototype_TYPE, scheduled for the GEN4 Unleashed event at Circuit Paul Ricard (April 21-22), will be a key moment to observe this new generation in action. For Jaguar, the stakes go beyond immediate performance. The team, crowned champions at the end of the 2023-2024 season, intends to continue its commitment since the GEN1.

This consistency allows them to approach the transition to GEN4 with a solid foundation and accumulated experience across all generations. It remains to be seen whether this theoretical advantage will translate into dominance on the track. Because while GEN4 promises a technical revolution, it also reshuffles the deck. In a championship where each regulatory cycle rebuilds the hierarchy, Jaguar will have to transform this technological showcase into a real competitive advantage. But before that, they must finish the current season, where Jaguar currently sits in second place with 129 points, behind Porsche (133 points). The next event is in Berlin, from May 1st to 3rd.

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