DRG-Lola: Twin Turbines & 3-G Force in Slow Corners
▼ Summary
– Autonomous racing series A2RL held a more impressive race at Yas Marina compared to its previous event.
– Formula E is preparing for its Gen4 era, featuring cars with real downforce and nearly double the power.
– F1 is introducing new technical rules with more powerful electric propulsion and active aerodynamics soon.
– The DRG-Lola is a new electric single-seater concept designed to be faster than current race cars.
– The DRG-Lola generates 804 hp from dual electric motors and uses a 60 kWh battery pack arranged around the driver.
For motorsport enthusiasts, this era delivers an unprecedented surge of innovation across the single-seater landscape. The autonomous A2RL series recently staged a far more compelling event at Yas Marina, demonstrating significant progress since its last human-versus-machine contest. Simultaneously, Formula E teams are preparing for the Gen4 era, a leap forward featuring genuine downforce and nearly double the power output. The countdown has also begun for Formula 1’s major technical overhaul, integrating substantially more potent electrical systems and active aerodynamics. Amid these developments, a provocative question arises: could an electric single-seater exist that outpaces them all on a circuit?
This very ambition fuels the DRG-Lola project, a ground-up racing concept born from a partnership between the revived British icon Lola Cars and former FIA Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi. Di Grassi, known for his analytical approach to racing and staunch advocacy for sustainable motorsport technology, previously outlined his vision for Formula E’s technical trajectory. The DRG-Lola represents a tangible evolution from those earlier ideas, deliberately engineered with currently available technology rather than speculative future components.
The vehicle’s powertrain is a testament to this pragmatic philosophy. It develops a formidable 804 horsepower (600 kW) through dual electric motors configured for all-wheel drive, with one motor on each axle. Energy is supplied by a 60 kWh battery pack, which is strategically packaged in modular units positioned on both sides of the driver’s cockpit to optimize weight distribution and chassis dynamics.
(Source: Ars Technica)
