Oliver Rowland recently completed his first test in Formula E’s GEN4 car, and the Season 11 World Champion came away impressed by what he described as performance “like hyperdrive from Star Wars.”
The Nissan Formula E driver tested the new machinery ahead of Season 13, which begins later this year after the current GEN3 era concludes in seven races. Race power increases from 300kW to 450kW, while Attack Mode delivers 600kW, a substantial jump from the current 350kW. Active all-wheel drive gives the car grip that allows for cornering speeds the series has not seen before.
“The power the GEN4 car has is quite eye-opening,” Rowland said. “A lot of that extra power comes from the front, which is pretty unique and something we need to get used to as drivers. The performance of the car is a big step up from GEN3.”
The chassis has been upgraded as well, addressing what Rowland characterized as a comfort issue with the current car. “The GEN3 car is quite uncomfortable,” he said, noting that the GEN4 platform represents “a huge positive for us as drivers.”
Power steering is the element that required the most adaptation. Rowland has not used it frequently in his career, and learning to feel the car’s limit through electrically assisted steering required recalibration during the test. “I got more and more familiar with the car throughout the test and got up to speed quickly,” he said. “I had to learn how to feel the limit of the car through the steering, trying to optimize it in terms of performance, power and driving style.”
The adjustments appear to suit Rowland’s driving preferences. He noted that the GEN3 car never matched his braking style, and the GEN4 platform may allow him to drive in a way that resembles his approach during the GEN2 era. “I think that from a qualifying perspective it may allow me to drive the car in a similar way to how I used to drive in GEN2, which is good for me,” he said.
Whether the new car fundamentally changes the racing Formula E has developed over recent years is an open question. The series has built its reputation on peloton-style races with energy management strategy producing unpredictable outcomes. Rowland believes that format can survive the transition if the regulations preserve it. “If Formula E can keep the traditional energy saving and Attack Mode races then it will still be interesting and unpredictable, which is a huge part of why people love the series,” he said. “The increased speed could make it more like traditional single-seater racing with fewer overtakes, but I don’t think this would work in terms of putting on a show.”
Rowland was among the last factory drivers to test the GEN4 car. Paddock reaction has been positive, with former F1 driver David Coulthard stunned by the car’s performance after four demonstration laps in Monaco. Nissan became the first manufacturer to commit to the GEN4 era in March 2024, signing on through 2030.
Pre-season testing for Season 13 is scheduled for November. Rowland’s immediate focus is the Sanya E-Prix on June 20.
Source: Nissan. Images courtesy of Nissan.
