99X Electric Gen3 first look: Porsche unveils its next Formula E racing car

In Italy, Porsche unveiled the livery of its third-generation Formula E race car. The smaller, lighter vehicle boasts more power and increased agility. But the most impressive change to the vehicle is braking. Not the actual stopping (it does that just fine) but the incredible increase in power sent back to the pack via regenerative braking.

The 99X has two power trains. The one in the back powers the rear-wheel-drive race car. The one upfront is just for regenerative braking. With it, Porsche has increased the amount of regenerative braking from 250 kW to 600 kW. So each time the brakes are applied, there is the potential for the system to send up 600kW of current to replenish the battery pack.

The increased power sent to the pack now accounts for 40 percent of the energy used during a race. On the second generation vehicle, that number was 25 percent. During a race, the vehicle only counts on the energy that came from a charging station for 60 percent of the race. The rest is generated while slowing down.

How that works out for Porsche is yet to be seen. All the vehicles in the races will be using this same technology during the season. But we won't have to wait long to see if Porsche’s new car yields a spot in the winner's circle. Season nine of Formula E begins in January 2023 in Mexico City.

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