Tag Heuer Porsche has revealed its striking new GEN3 Evo car for the upcoming FIA Formula E championship, with bold ambitions of defending its title. The Porsche 99X Electric, set to compete over the next two seasons, sports a fresh color scheme that abandons the familiar white, black, and red of previous years. Instead, it now features a futuristic “Purple Sky Metallic and Shade Green Metallic” palette, drawing inspiration from Porsche’s cutting-edge production models like the Taycan Turbo GT, their most powerful production car to date.
The color shift, as Porsche described, is not just an aesthetic upgrade but also symbolic of their focus on electrification and innovation. The vibrant new look is meant to signal Porsche’s pioneering spirit in Formula E, reinforcing the link between motorsport advancements and their road-going electric vehicles.
Technological Push with All-Wheel Drive
Porsche Team Principal Florian Modlinger emphasized the engineering challenges the team faced, particularly with the implementation of temporary all-wheel drive in the GEN3 Evo car. “The biggest development task was the alignment of the software to maximize acceleration and cornering speeds without consuming too much energy, which is also crucial for our road cars,” Modlinger explained.
This new drivetrain configuration aims to give Porsche a competitive edge as they fine-tune the car’s balance to suit the drivers’ preferences.
Pascal Wehrlein Aims to Defend Title in New Colors
Pascal Wehrlein, who dramatically clinched the 2024 championship in a thrilling final race in London, will be defending his title with the prestigious #1 on his car. The German driver expressed excitement about the new design, even aligning the colors of his helmet with the car’s new livery. “It’s very cool. I love the colors so much that I designed my helmet the same way. And of course, I’m proud to have the number 1 on my car. We’re ready to defend our title.”
Antonio Felix da Costa Optimistic for a Strong Campaign
Wehrlein’s teammate, Antonio Felix da Costa, who secured four victories last season, is also optimistic about the upcoming season. “The all-wheel drive, new tires, and an overhaul of our components could shake things up,” da Costa said. The team is eager to see how the new car performs when they return to São Paulo in December. “Hopefully, the fans will love our new colors as much as we do,” he added.
Porsche Expands Influence with Kiro Racing Co Partnership
Beyond its own team, Porsche’s influence in Formula E is growing through a partnership with Kiro Racing Co, who will run year-old Porsche powertrains in the upcoming season. This alliance seems to be influencing Kiro’s driver lineup, with rumors circulating about their upcoming driver for pre-season testing in Valencia. Multiple sources have suggested that Porsche’s reserve driver, David Beckmann, will take the seat alongside Dan Ticktum. Beckmann, a former F3 race winner and F2 podium finisher, also had a one-off stint in Formula E for Andretti last season.
Other names reportedly in the running for Kiro’s seat include Thomas Preining, who participated in a rookie test for Porsche, and Marta Garcia, who impressed in the same test for Kiro (then ERT). Meanwhile, Sergio Sette Camara—once thought to be a prime candidate for the seat—appears to be in limbo, waiting for clarity on his future with the team.
With the new Porsche 99X Electric and an expanded influence in the grid, Porsche is not only looking to defend its driver’s title with Wehrlein but also solidify its place as a powerhouse in Formula E as the new season approaches.
