Citroen is considering to enter the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship in the foreseeable future, partnering Virgin Racing, Autosport reports. The car manufacturer responded to rumours.Recently Carlos Tavares became the new CEO of the PSA Group after bringing Renault into Formula E. It is understood that it would create a platform for the DS brand.
Yves Matton, team principal of the Citroen Racing competitions department that masterminds the manufacturer’s World Rally Championship campaign, told Autosport: “There was a story in the newspaper recently with Tavares saying that PSA Group has some interest to the Formula E.
“Now we are looking at what will be the motorsport disciplines that fit the three brands [Peugeot, Citroen and DS] the best. Formula E could be one of the disciplines that fit to the group, but nothing is decided.”
Virgin Racing would not comment on speculation and said that it is in talks with various manufacturers, as most teams are in Formula E.
From next season, eight constructors are allowed to further develop the current Spark-Renault SRT_01E racing car with electric motors, inverters and gearboxes. The first crash tests of the new cars are already scheduled for the end of May.
Earlier Volvo expressed an interest and it is very likely that most car manufacturers are keeping an eye on Formula E, including BMW which is supplying course cars but finds it too soon to enter because of the car changes . That will presumably chance for season five when the vehicles will have an autonomy to last for an hour of racing.
Has Citroen a green (racing) heritage? The French constructor Green GT, who aimed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a hydrogen fuel cell powered race car, also made the all-electric Citroen Survolt. It reaches a maximum speed of 240 km/h and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds thanks to a 31 kWh battery pack. It has an autonomy of about 200 km. And check the looks in this below video too.