Jaguar launches I-TYPE 3 Gen2 Formula E car

Panasonic Jaguar Racing has unveiled its I-TYPE 3 Gen2 Formula E car that will contest the 2018/2019 campaign.

The British squad revealed its season five challenger and formally confirmed a retained driver line-up consisting of Nelson Piquet Jr. and Mitch Evans at a launch event at the London Design Museum on Wednesday.

Jaguar has already completed a series of closed tests with its I-TYPE 3 challenger ahead of the Gen2 car’s competitive debut in the all-electric championship in 2018/19.

The new-spec car has a revised aerodynamic concept as well as increased battery storage and power modes, eliminating the need for the mid-race car swaps that have been a feature of Formula E races since its inaugural season in 2014.

There are over 800 new parts in Jaguar's new I-TYPE 3 car, including a new powertrain that has been fully developed in-house for the first time. 

"Panasonic Jaguar Racing have made great progress during our short time in Formula E," Jaguar team principal James Barclay said. 

"We expect that the introduction of the new Gen2 Formula E racecar and revised sporting regulations will result in a very close season of racing. It effectively means that all teams started from the same point and at the same time.

"We believe we are the first team to develop our powertrain entirely in-house, this gives us ultimate control in terms of design and development and hope this will put us at a competitive advantage.

"The technology is moving at an incredibly fast rate, and the new Gen2 car will be an important test bed to help develop and drive performance of our future battery electric vehicles."

Jaguar entered Formula E in season three and finished 10^th and bottom of the teams’ championship in its maiden campaign, having racked up 27 points between drivers Evans and Adam Carroll.

Impressive gains and the signing of season one champion Piquet helped bolster the team in 2017/18 as it broke the 100-point barrier and recorded its first podium in the series on its way to improving to sixth in the standings.

Barclay believes continuity in its unchanged driver line-up will prove beneficial as the team looks to get to grips with the new regs quickly and progress up the field. 

"It's fantastic to have Nelson and Mitch on board again and ensure consistency in our driver line-up," he added. 

"The combined knowledge, experience and speed of both drivers will help us achieve our goal to be in the points in every race and fighting for podiums."

All 11 teams, included new entrants Nissan and HWA AG, will conduct two days of pre-season testing at the Valencia circuit in October ahead of the first race of the season as Formula E makes its debut in Saudi Arabia on December 15.