Munich. The stage is set for the car and the team that BMW
will enter in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as of Season 5. On
Friday, BMW i Motorsport presented the new BMW iFE.18 and the new
BMW i Andretti Motorsport team at BMW Welt’s double cone in Munich
(GER). The all-electric racing car impresses with a fascinating
design, whereas the showpiece of the BMW iFE.18 – the innovative
drivetrain – is hidden deep inside. The drivetrain was developed
using the expertise of the same engineers that designed that of the
BMW i3. BMW i and BMW Motorsport are working on the Formula E
project in tandem, thereby facilitating a technology transfer
between series development and motorsport unprecedented in this
form. The two BMW iFE.18 cars, which will be in action for BMW i
Andretti Motorsport in the Formula E races around the world as of
December, will have the BMW works drivers António Félix da Costa
(POR) and Alexander Sims (GBR) at the wheel.
“Formula E is not only an innovative and spectacular race series
that has established itself as one of the top race series in the world
with a totally new approach to sustainability and events within just a
few years,” said Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of
BMW AG, Development and Motorsport, who opened the BMW iFE.18 launch
in front of media representatives, partners and other guests from
around the world. “For BMW, it is also the perfect test lab for
production development. The technology transfer between motorsport and
series production is intense. Our experience from series production
benefits the drivetrain of the race car. At the same time, insights
from Formula E flow directly into the development of future series
production drivetrains. So, I am looking forward to a great racing season.”
Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales
and Brand BMW, explained the significance of the Formula E involvement
for the BMW brand and said: “BMW stands for innovation leadership. We
are pioneers when it comes to electromobility. We were convinced by
Formula E from the very beginning and as ‘Official Vehicle Partner’
we’ve been involved from the start, in to order actively help shape
the series. BMW i and Formula E share the same values: pioneering
spirit and innovation.”
For full power in Formula E: the BMW i drivetrain.
In the BMW iFE.18, the pioneering spirit, innovation and
technological expertise of BMW Motorsport and BMW i come together.
Making use of the knowledge and experience of the BMW i engineers from
series production resulted in the drivetrain of the new Formula E car.
In part, the same production plants are used as for the BMW i3. The
collaboration between the motorsport and series production department
works as an efficient cycle. The findings from Formula E flow directly
back into the development of future series production drivetrains of
forthcoming BMW i models.
“BMW’s expertise in the BMW iFE.18 is primarily in the heart of
the vehicle, the drivetrain,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens
Marquardt. “We told the production engineers designing the electric
motor and inverter: ‘Forget about all the considerations you would
usually have in development, and just think about performance, the
greatest efficiency, the lowest weight. When we’ve reached that point,
you can think about how to integrate that into series production later
on.’ Our BMW Motorsport engineers designed the rear-axle including
suspension and had to integrate the drivetrain in the rear end of the
race car. The knowledge we gain in this highly competitive environment
then flows straight back into production development. This is the
perfect implementation of our motto: from the racetrack to the road.”
A unique perspective for racing in the streets.
The design of the BMW iFE.18 is defined by the urban context of
Formula E. “Formula E races are held on tight circuits in city
centres, and we recognised that spectators typically see the cars from
positions that are higher and closer to the track than many other
forms of racing” said Michael Scully, Head of Design BMW Motorsport.
“We’ve embraced that unique constellation, and the top view of the car
is where we started: it sets the overall schematic for the livery of
the BMW iFE.18.”
The iconic blue and white quarters of the BMW logo are the basis
for a bold scale composition; structuring each key view of the BMW
iFE.18. The alternating sequence of contrasting colours and shapes
provide maximum visibility at racing speeds and make the BMW iFE.18
unmistakably a BMW. The daring asymmetrical layout also shares the
functionally-derived non-reflective matte black cockpit element seen
on 2018 BMW M Motorsport liveries.
A colour gradient from
light blue at the front of the car to dark blue at the rear conveys
motion and transition: both relevant themes in the context of
E-mobility. Imbedded within the livery is a connective graphic
network of blue and purple “veins” carrying the natural colours of raw
electricity throughout the BMW iFE.18. Occasional purple “synapses”
propagate at network intersections and grow in number within proximity
of the BMW i drivetrain. On the BMW iFE.18, no two perspectives are
the same, literally.
Experienced team, experienced drivers.
The two BMW iFE.18 cars will be fielded by BMW i Andretti
Motorsport with team principal Roger Griffiths (GBR) at the helm.
Griffiths, and the Andretti Autosport team, owned by Michael Andretti
(USA), bring a wealth of Formula E experience with them. The American
team has contested every race in the series since 2014. “I can’t wait
to see BMW i Andretti Motorsport hit the race track in Season 5. I
believe we have the right partners, drivers and personnel in place to
compete at the very top level of Formula E,” said Andretti Autosport
CEO Michael Andretti. “Everyone on both sides have been dedicated to
the development of the new BMW iFE.18 and I look forward to seeing it
in action. We are entering not only a new era of Formula E, but of
motorsport as a whole.”
António Félix da Costa has also been in action in Formula E
since Season 1, and will be driving the #28 BMW iFE.18 in the
forthcoming season. “I know Formula E really well and was always
convinced that BMW would enter as a manufacturer one day. Now, to be
part of this team is an incredible motivator,” said Félix da Costa.
Alexander Sims in the #27 car will be competing alongside him.
Sims, like Félix da Costa, has been demonstrating his exceptional
versatility as a BMW works driver for many years, and has celebrated
countless successes in BMW race cars. “Formula E has quickly become
the place for top manufacturers and top drivers to meet. I am honoured
to be entrusted with taking on this adventure in collaboration with
BMW i Motorsport,” said Sims.
Side-by-side with strong partners.
Another important part of BMW i Andretti Motorsport is the
partners supporting the project. The Primary Partner of BMW i
Motorsport is Magna. The global automotive supplier for future
technologies has a long-lasting partnership with BMW. Magna will use
the Formula E platform as a catalyst for researching innovative
solutions for the mobility landscape. Julius Baer, a founding member
of Formula E, has been part of the BMW i Motorsport family from the
very beginning. The Swiss private banking group will extends its
relationship with BMW by joining the team as Founding Main Pa
rtner. The new Main Partner of the team is Einhell, manufacturer of
innovative and sustainable power tools and garden appliances. Harman
Kardon, the long-time BMW partner for premium audio solutions, will
continue the relationship with BMW i Motorsport as Official Partner.
PUMA is the Official Supplier.
Virtual launch of the BMW iFE.18.
Racing fans around the world were able to follow the unveiling
of the new Formula E car live on BMW Motorsport’s social media
channels. Part of the stage programme was a 2.8-second launch video –
which is exactly the time that it takes the BMW iFE.18 to go from 0 to
100 km/h. While the short version of the clip fascinates with its
extreme speed, the full message only unfolds in a further, greatly
slowed down version.
The BMW iFE.18 contests its first race around the world in the
evening hours. On Friday from 19:30 CEST, visitors to BMW Welt can
take a picture of the new car and Sims and Félix da Costa will be on
site to sign autographs. Introduced by a fascinating light and laser
show on the glass front of BMW Welt, the BMW iFE.18 will set off on
its virtual tour of the streets of Munich at 22:00 CEST, using motion
mapping technology.
In the coming weeks, this spectacular show will also attract
attention from people in Oslo (NOR, 17/9), London (GBR, 20/9), New
York (USA, 24/9), Detroit (USA, 26/9), Mexico City (MEX, 29/9) and
Hong Kong (CHN, 4/10). The first real race for the BMW iFE.18 and BMW
i Andretti Motorsport is scheduled for 15th December 2018 in Ad
Diriyah (KSA).