Porsche Is Ready For Its Formula E Debut With The New 99X Electric

With Tag Heuer and Vodafone mobile onboard, the new Porsche Formula E livery is finally ready for prime time. Using a play on the current 911 RSR livery, which shows the outline of the Porsche crest when viewed from above, the tri-colored electric open cockpit racer looks pretty good. Ahead of the official pre-season test in October, Porsche unveiled the new car’s livery in a series of online photographs, as well as an interactive game on the streaming service Twitch. Both Neel Jani and Andre Lotterer are proven quantities with Porsche and in this open wheel racer. I can’t wait to see it on track!

“In hindsight, we laid the foundations for Porsche’s future involvement in Formula E during the LMP1 project. We used the insights gained during that time in the development of the Porsche Formula E powertrain. We focussed on building a highly effective powertrain with the highest level of efficiency,” says Malte Huneke, Technical Project Leader Formula E. “In recent months, we have been able to sound out the reliability of the Porsche Formula E powertrain on the racetrack and on the test bench. We are very pleased and are optimistic going into the final preparations for the first race.”

“In the coming weeks, we will focus on the performance of the Porsche 99X Electric. This is the next step on the road to the Porsche works entry in Formula E,” says Amiel Lindesay, Head of Formula E Operations. “Both Porsche 99X Electric will take to the racetrack there [Valencia for the official pre-season test] for the first time, with Neel Jani and André Lotterer in the cockpit. From an operational perspective, it will be an exciting assignment for everyone involved. A good test before we contest our first Formula E race in November.”

This marks Porsche’s return to single seater racing after more than 30 years away from the sport. Porsche launched its first hybrid racer nearly a decade ago with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid in 2010. Since then, the company has produced a number of hybrid road cars, including the 918 Spyder hypercar, as well as the record-and-championship-winning 919 Hybrid LMP1 racer. As we are on the brink of the unveiling of Porsche’s first full-EV road car, the Taycan, it is only fitting that the company is expanding its efforts into electric motorsport. Not only will they likely be instantly successful, but they will learn a lot from Formula E that will make the Taycan and future electric sports cars even better.

I, for one, welcome this new electric Porsche.