4
Formula E
“
W
E HAVE AN ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS FUTURE GENERATIONS
:
AS ENGINEERS AND DESIGNERS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER ALL THE POSSIBLE ASPECTS
IN ORDER TO FIND WAYS OF DECREASING FUEL CONSUMPTION AND POLLUTION
.
W
E HAVE TO HAVE A
360
°
OUTLOOK
.
A
T
D
ALLARA WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL
OF EXPERTISE IN AERODYNAMICS AND THE USE OF LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS
:
IF THE AERODYNAMIC RESISTANCE IS LOW THE CAR WILL USE LESS FUEL
OR CURRENT WHEN RUNNING AT A GIVEN SPEED
.
T
HE SAME APPLIES IF THE WEIGHT
OF THE CAR IS REDUCED
–
WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON SAFETY OF COURSE
”
Engineer Pignacca, what were you
asked to produce for Formula E?
«
Spark Racing Technology (SRT)
wanted to build a single-seater
electric car capable of competing
in the 2014 FIA Formula E
championship. In order to achieve
this they needed partners and they
chose Dallara to design the chassis
and supply the main components for
it: the safety cell, the battery safety
cell, the steering system, the
supensions uprightss. We are
practically designing the car for, and
together with, them».
Do you already know how many cars
you have to supply, and when?
«
We’ve got an order for 42 cars, two
to be delivered in July, and the rest by
March 2014».
What challenges does a project like
this pose when designing the chassis
for the car? Did you start from
scratch or was it based on existing
projects?
«
At the end of the day we’re talking
about a racing car, and for this reason
we drew on all our experience and
used various components from our
other models, as well from other cars.
At the same time, this is a completely
different type of product and it will
be fun and stimulating to work on
such a new concept. The greatest
challenge was packaging the cells and
battery modules, the safety of the
monocoque, which will have a
radically different rear section, and
the electrical system, which will
operate at very high voltage
».
There’s a lot of talk about zero-
emission engines: in what ways is it
also possible to obtain a low
environmental impact by working on
the type of materials that are used
and the aerodynamics of the car?
«
We have an enormous responsibility
towards future generations: as
engineers and designers we have to
consider all the possible aspects in
order to find ways of decreasing fuel
consumption and pollution. We have
to have a 360° outlook. At Dallara we
have a great deal of expertise in
aerodynamics and the use of
lightweight materials: if the
aerodynamic resistance is low the car
will use less fuel or current when
running at a given speed. The same
applies if the weight of the car is
reduced – without compromising on
safety of course»
.
Will you be forming a working group
together with McLaren, who will be
supplying the electronics, engine and
gearbox?
«
SRT’s partners for the electrical drive
system and control system are
McLaren Electronic Systems. Hewland
will supply a specially designed
gearbox».
Does Formula E really represent a
glimpse of the future? Is this type of
car the answer to the drive to reduce
the cost and environmental impact of
competitions, while ensuring
increasing safety standards?
«
As always, the races will show the
world that the developments made by
the motoring industry can function at
the very highest level. If we do our
work properly, Formula E will act as a
launch pad for promoting this concept
all over the world. We have many
challenges ahead of us and numerous
practical problems to solve before we
can answer the second question. But
I’m certain we’re up to it».
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