[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/audi-impress-ahead-formula-e-opener\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/audi-impress-ahead-formula-e-opener\/","headline":"Electric Audi racers impress ahead of Formula E opener","name":"Electric Audi racers impress ahead of Formula E opener","description":"Audi is one of the most progressive names in plug-in market right now. It may currently only have two plug-in hybrids in its vast range, but the A3 Sportback e-tron is one of the most practical and stylish cars of its ilk out there right now. Meanwhile, the plug-in Q7 e-tron proved early on that electric motors could be introduced anywhere. Now, Audi has strengthened its reputation for pushing electric car technology further – after its e-tron FE04 impressed during […]","datePublished":"2017-10-09","dateModified":"2018-12-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Audi-Formula-E-Valencia-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Audi-Formula-E-Valencia-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/audi-impress-ahead-formula-e-opener\/","about":["Audi","MOTORSPORT"],"wordCount":406,"keywords":["Audi","Audi A3 Sportback e-tron","Audi Q7 e-tron","formula e","motorsport"],"articleBody":"Audi is one of the most progressive names in plug-in market right now.It may currently only have two plug-in hybrids in its vast range, but the A3 Sportback e-tron is one of the most practical and stylish cars of its ilk out there right now. Meanwhile, the plug-in Q7 e-tron proved early on that electric motors could be introduced anywhere.Now, Audi has strengthened its reputation for pushing electric car technology further – after its e-tron FE04 impressed during Formula E pre-season testing in Valencia.How impressive, you ask? Well, the first all-electric Audi race car completed the largest number of test kilometers of all ten teams from Monday to Thursday on the three-kilometer Circuit Ricardo Tomo. It racked up 1,466km over 464 laps with complete reliability, while lap times were promising too.To put some of that into context, those 1,466km clocked by the FE04 were equal to the entire race distance of a whole Formula E Season. Oh, and it did all this in blistering Spanish high-season heat where it was 30 degrees centigrade in the shade.Audi\u2019s battery-powered racer was piloted by new factory driver Daniel Abt from Germany and reigning Formula E Champion Lucas di Grassi of Brazil. Team principal Allan McNish, who assessed the tests, had positive words for both drivers.\u201cDaniel and Lucas felt comfortable in the car right from the beginning and confirmed to me that we\u2019ve done good development work and made a big step forwards with the new powertrain,\u201d he commented.Mr McNish added that the Valencia test was primarily to assess where Audi stood amongst the competition, but he felt happy with the test despite a lot of work still to do ahead of the opening E-Prix in Hong Kong on December 2nd-3rd.\u201cThe Audi e-tron FE04 is reliable and fast,\u201d he went on to say. \u201cNow we need to continue to optimise energy management and the software on the test bench and in the simulator.\u201dFormula E Champion di Grassi agreed, saying: \u201cI believe that our new car is very competitive. Audi, ABT and Schaeffler have done a good job. The top times were very close together. I\u2019m expecting a thrilling season.\u201dTesting is now prohibited until the season opens in Hong Kong. The four Audi e-tron FE04 test cars will be completely dismantled and reassembled at the team\u2019s base in Kempten, before being flown from England to Hong Kong in mid-November."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"New Releases","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/new-releases\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Motorsport","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/new-releases\/\/motorsport\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Electric Audi racers impress ahead of Formula E opener","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/audi-impress-ahead-formula-e-opener\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]