Over time, electric cars have been finding widespread and interesting use-cases, a particular one being an F1 race. One such competitive platform for electric cars was launched back in 2014, when Formula One announced its all electric alternative, named Formula Electric.
In no time, most of the major auto makers joined in the contest, with their own versions of super fast electric race cars. Mercedes-Benz will now be adding its name to the list and the firm has made sure that it leaves no stone unturned for its debut. The result, its first ever all-electric racecar - The EQ Silver Arrow 01.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01
Mercedes-Benz has even unveiled the EQ Silver Arrow 01 on the eve of Geneva Motor Show 2019. The announcement has been as grand as it was supposed to be, with a front runner in the automobile industry marking its entry into an all-new form of track racing. The E1 Silver Arrow 01 will be running the laps in the Formula E racing by the end of this year.
The race car, however, has not been a ‘home-made product’ for the company entirely. French and Italian firms Spark and Dallara were assigned by the Formula E to build the chassis of the vehicle. This was backed by 52kWh battery pack built by Atieva, the battery company arm of EV startup Lucid Motors, which was later integrated by McLaren.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01
Meanwhile the Formula E has allowed Mercedes-Benz to develop its own components that connect to the battery, as in every manufacturer’’s case, including the electric motor, drivetrain as well as the inverter. This works two-ways for the participant firms. The competition can be treated as a test bed for their EV technology, and subsequently, can even help market the progress of the company’s EV capabilities.
As for the EQ Silver Arrow 01, the all-electric race car is able to come up with 340 horsepower for its nearly 2000 pound (~900 kg) weight, enough to go from 0 to 100 kmph in 2.7 seconds. For now, it wears a similar pattern effect which can be seen on Mercedes-Benz’s 2019 F1 car and as the EQ Silver Arrow 01 showcased at the Geneva Motor Show is currently wearing a “teaser livery,” it is expected to get an all new paint job by the next Formula E season.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01
Mercedes-Benz will not be entering as a fresher in Formula E and has instead, decided to take over HWA, which used to run Mercedes-Benz’s racing team in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) racing series. Mercedes-Benz left the DTM last year to focus on Formula E.
In its latest tweet, Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E team bids farewell to the DTM series, which it has been contesting since the last 30 years. As the firm announces its Formula E entry, the EQ Silver Arrow 01 can be seen taking shape in a video, with Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, saying “the electrification of our mobility is an essential element in the future of Mercedes-Benz."