The ABB FIA Formula E Championship will operate an all-new electric SUV Series, named ‘Extreme E’ as reported by motorsport.com. The Series is set to run through challenging environments such as the Himalayas and the Arctic.
The project is set to launch in 2020, which has been presented to manufacturers as a spec-series with limited areas for open development in its initial phase. The project will be lead by 2003 Indianapolis 500 Champion and recently-appointed McLaren Formula 1 Sporting Director Gil De Ferran and supported by Formula E Founder and CEO Alejandro Agag.
Alejandro Agag told motorsport.com:
“Extreme E – all I can say is that it’s a new project that will be operated by Formula E. Formula E will take over the operation of that new project – the new project is still in very early stages. But hopefully Gil de Ferran, who is leading the project, will do an announcement soon with more details. But that’s all I can say.”
Extreme E seems to be employing the same model as Formula E regarding power-train development through employing very strict limits on development areas, which was the case with the all-electric single-seater series back in 2015/16. However, Extreme E will allow manufacturers to use their own silhouette racing designs of their own road-going models.
With electric SUV’s of their own already, this series would be perfect for Formula E manufacturers such as Jaguar, Audi and Mercedes, who will enter the all-electric series next year.
