The Audi e-tron FE04 embodies the company’s transformation from a classic automobile manufacturer to a forward-looking mobility provider on the racetrack.
“After nearly 40 years of being successfully active in motorsport on the highest level, Audi now becomes the first German automobile manufacturer to compete in Formula E in order to test and advance the development of new technologies for production,” said Peter Mertens, management board member of Technical Development at Audi AG.
“Following quattro, TFSI, TDI, hybrid drive and many other innovations, our first single-seater racecar is a portent of our product offensive in the field of electric mobility that we are ringing in with the Audi e-tron in 2018.”
In Formula E, the teams and manufacturers are allowed to develop the powertrain consisting of the motor, transmission, parts of the suspension and the respective software. The combination of the motor and transmission is the centrepiece of the Audi e-tron FE04. The engineers primarily focus on designing the motor-generator unit for ever greater efficiency. To transmit the power to the wheels, Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler will be using a high-efficiency transmission with only one gear in the 2017/2018 season.
A progressive new livery featuring white, metallic green and black as the basic colours visually distinguishes the Audi e-tron FE04 clearly from the car in which Lucas di Grassi won the Formula E championship title in July. Lucas di Grassi’s teammate is youngster Daniel Abt. The 24-year-old driver from the Allgäu has been signed as an Audi factory driver. Daniel Abt will be driving car number 66 with additional red colour markings intended to make it easier for spectators to distinguish the cars of the two Audi campaigners from each other.
The new team principal and, as such, the face of Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in Formula E, is Allan McNish. The Scotsman had already accompanied and supported the team at the racetracks throughout the third season. Now the former Formula 1 campaigner, long-standing Audi factory driver and three-time Le Mans winner is also officially leading and representing the squad.
The Audi e-tron FE04 will make its racing debut at the Formula E season opener in Hong Kong on 2 December, 2017. 
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