Renault takes the win at the first race of the third season from the FIA Formula e ePrix at Hong Kong.

• Renault e.dams opened season three of the FIA Formula E Championship in emphatic fashion with Sébastien Buemi taking his seventh career Formula E win and Nico Prost working his way back through the field to finish fourth in the HKT Hong Kong ePrix.
• The team leaves Hong Kong with 37 points in the Team Championship, ahead of ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport and Andretti Formula E who both have 18 points. 

From fourth on the grid, Sébastian drove in a measured and assured fashion to take one position on merit, another thanks to a rival getting tangled up in another's incident and finally P1 thanks to pit stop strategy. The win means Séb starts his Drivers' Championship defence with 25 points to Lucas di Grassi's 18.

If Séb's race was measured, then Nico Prost's was fully feisty from start to finish. From P10 on the grid, a mode selection issue meant Nico dropped positions on the initial lap and this was compounded by contact front and rear as the field compressed. 

On a charge and in the correct mode, Nico blasted past his rivals and worked up the order ending his race just shy of the podium in fourth.

Qualifying earlier in the day had been an eventful affair. Incidents in Q1, Q2 and Q3 meant delayed running and cancellation of Superpole, the net result for the Renault e.dams duo was P4 for Séb, P10 for Nico.

Renault e.dams, Sébastien and Nico will next be seen in action for the second round of season three, the Marrakesh ePrix in Morocco on November 12.

#9 Séb:

"Initially I thought we'd made a mistake when we made our pit stop under the safety car, but as we saw it all worked out perfectly. I'm happy with today's result but we certainly had to fight for it. 

We saw in qualifying just how hard everyone was pushing and the race was not easy for us. I felt a lot happier with the second car today as we made some set-up changes but overall this has been a great weekend and a superb way to start the season."

#8 Nico:

"I don't know exactly what happened on the first lap as I got stuck in the wrong mode and I lost a load of places. 

Fortunately I was back into the correct mode on the straight so I fought like hell to overtake everyone I could; I was really going for every gap possible! 

In the end our race turned out really well and we had a great strategy. It was a fantastic result for the team today so I'm really happy for everyone."

Vincent Gaillardot, Renault Operations Director:

"Our weekend finished a lot better than it started as we had an issue on one of Nico's car in the shakedown. We knew from free practice today that we had good potential, however qualifying was more difficult than expected. Our race performance was consistent, we had a good strategy and both drivers drove well. Séb was able to take the lead through a combination of factors but mainly thanks to a strong and sensible drive with an effective strategy. Nico had a switch-management issue at the start but was able to recover well. Everything we've seen in Hong Kong is promising for the season."

Jean-Paul Driot, Senior Team Manager:

"There is no better way to start season three. We saw that qualifying was very tight this morning but the quality of our drivers and our strong strategy played out well. We are happy to  be the first team ever to win in Hong Kong, just as being the first Formula E team to win in Monaco. These are fantastic milestones. I'm very pleased with how the team worked and the drivers delivered all weekend. Renault e.dams is a great combination of strengths with our technology, professionalism and efficiency giving great results!"

Alain Prost, Senior Team Manager:

"What a fantastic way to start the season! The first-ever Hong Kong ePrix certainly looked spectacular and we saw some very close competition. I’m particularly proud at how the team delivered in a strong and measured fashion across the whole event. Both drivers drove very well and the strategy worked well. Qualifying might not have been as good as we wanted but in the race, everyone gave exactly what was required. Séb drove a very mature and effective race whilst Nico showed great aggression to work back up the order after issues on the first lap. We’re all very much looking forward to Marrakesh." 

Jaguar will take part in the full calendar of races in next years FIA Formula e grand Prix, ending in New York City.

• “Home race” for Jaguar North America winds through Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood
• 1.21 mile race course includes iconic New York City backdrops of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty

Jaguar North America, headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey, is excited to welcome the FIA Formula E Championship, the world’s first fully-electric racing series, to New York City.

At a press conference today in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, announced next year’s New York City ePrix double-header will be the first FIA-sanctioned open-wheel race to take place within the five boroughs of New York City in modern history.

Currently scheduled for July 29 and 30 of 2017, the two-day event will mark the final two rounds of the 2016/17 race calendar; winding its way along a 1.21 mile race course around Pier 11 and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with iconic New York City backdrops that include lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

Earlier this month, Jaguar announced its entry into the 2016/17 Formula E Championship with debut of the Jaguar I-TYPE 1 race car and the creation of Panasonic Jaguar Racing.

The brand’s return to top-level racing will push the boundaries of electric technology in a performance environment and underscores the importance of electric vehicles and alternative powertrains in the future product portfolio for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

In addition to the New York City ePrix, the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship calendar includes 12 other races around the world, in Europe, North and South America, as well as Africa and Asia.

2016/17 FIA FORMULA E RACE SCHEDULE as of 09/21/16

R1	Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R	October 9	2016
R2	Marrakesh, Morocco	November 12	2016
R3	Buenos Aires, Argentina	February 18	2017
R4	Mexico City, Mexico	April 1	2017
R5	TBD	TBD	2017
R6	Monaco, Principality of Monaco	May 13	2017
R7	Paris, France	May 20	2017
R8	Berlin, Germany	June 10	2017
R9	TBD	TBD	2017
R10	Brussels, Belgium	July 1	2017
R11	Montreal, Canada	July 15	2017
R12	Montreal, Canada	July 16	2017
R13	New York, United States	July 29	2017
R14	New York, United States	July 30	2017

Ford Focus RS will make its competition debut as a factory entry in 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship

• Ford Focus RS will make its competition debut as Ford’s factory entry in 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship
• Ken Block’s Hoonigan Racing Division will field two Focus RS race cars to build on the performance marque’s championship legacy
• World Rallycross Championship race car based on all-new global 2016 Ford Focus RS featuring advanced Ford Performance torque vectoring all-wheel drive
• Ken Block will be joined by Andreas Bakkerud as his teammate for 2016

Ford’s RS competition legacy continues this season for a new generation of motorsports fans. Teased at the conclusion of Ken Block’s Gymkhana EIGHT released earlier this week, Ford Performance confirms Block’s Hoonigan Racing Division team will field two factory-supported 2016 Ford Focus RS race cars in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.  

For more than 50 years, Ford Performance’s Rallye Sport badge has been reserved for racing and production vehicles that push the limits of performance and innovation. Known for aggressive design and pioneering technology, Ford vehicles wearing the RS badge have seen success for decades in stage rally series including winning participation in FIA World Rally Championship with drivers like Björn Waldegård, Marcus Grönholm, Mikko Hirvonen and Colin McRae. 

“RS is a worldwide brand with a rich heritage that motorsports enthusiasts know and love,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “Our RS badge has a natural connection to racing, and we have a passionate, dedicated team on the project. We’re excited to honor the history of Rallye Sport by pushing every aspect of performance and design to the limit.”

The Focus RS build is a global collaboration between Ford Performance, Block’s Hoonigan Racing and U.K.-based M-Sport. Featuring all-wheel drive, a new EcoBoost^® engine producing 600 horsepower, and a 0-60-mph launch time of less than two seconds, Ford Focus RS Rallycross cars are optimized for competition.

Mark Rushbrook, motorsports engineering manager, Ford Performance, says the intention has been to develop a Rallycross car that lives up to the RS badge.

“We’ve dedicated the same level of cutting-edge tools, technical resources and engineering know-how from our Le Mans GT and NASCAR programs, and working with M-Sport brings renowned expertise in rallycross and stage rally vehicle development,” said Rushbrook. “Ken, Andreas Bakkerud and Hoonigan Racing give us insight from the competition and driver perspectives. Our three organizations have a great working relationship, and we’re all looking forward to seeing the Focus RS in action.”

"I'm really happy to be expanding my relationship with Ford Performance," said Hoonigan Racing Division’s Ken Block. "To have official factory support for my race season in 2016 and beyond as I enter the FIA World Rallycross Championship full-time is absolutely incredible. It opens up a ton of powerful resources that myself and my team will be able to benefit from in terms of engineering prowess, research, development and racing experience from different fields. Plus, have you seen the car that they've created for me to go race in? My mind was blown when they showed it to me in Dearborn a few months ago. I absolutely cannot wait to get behind the wheel and start testing."

Malcolm Wilson, OBE, managing director for M-Sport, believes that together, they’ve produced a very special race car. “Working closely with our colleagues at Ford Performance and Hoonigan Racing Division, a huge amount of work has gone into this project,” he said. “It’s been an extremely exciting, rewarding venture – one we hope yields considerable success. I’m confident we have a winning formula for the season ahead.”

A Ford driven by Ford-Autocraft employee Brian Melia was at the birth of rallycross in February 1967 – his Lotus Cortina finishing second in the Lydden Hill event created especially for ITV’s “World of Sport”. The BBC adopted rallycross later that year and the sport’s future was assured, with the first British Rallycross Championship won by Tony Chappell in a factory-prepared Ford Escort Twin Cam in 1968.

The Focus RS Rallycross cars will debut at the FIA World Rallycross event in Portugal, April 15-17, with Block and Bakkerud behind the wheel. The global 12-race series takes place in 11 countries on three continents.

Abarh launches special 595 FIM MotoGP Edition, as it continues to sponsor the championship.

Abarth is celebrating its position as Official Sponsor and Car Supplier to the FIM MotoGP Championship with the launch of a new range of 595 sports hatches – the 595 Yamaha Factory Racing Edition.

Created from a partnership with Yamaha, and with world champion riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo on course for an historic one-two in this year’s championship, the new edition comes in a choice of seven striking colours and is packed with sporty features.

With 17-inch matt black alloy wheels, painted brake callipers and optional matching Abarth side stripes and mirror covers, there is no mistaking the new 595 Yamaha Factory Racing Edition. Darkened windows, a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals and a special 'Yamaha Factory Racing' badge – all standard – enhance the model’s sporting credentials. Xenon headlamps, leather interior and dual zone air conditioning are among the options.

Powered by an upgraded version of Abarth’s potent 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, the 595 Yamaha Factory Racing Edition is further enhanced with a Record Monza exhaust system, Koni shock absorbers with FSD valves and Eibach lowering springs.

“The new 595 Yamaha Factory Racing Edition adds a new dimension to the Abarth 595 line-up” says Gerry Southerington, brand manager, Abarth UK. “With an upgrade to 160 horsepower, lowered suspension, sporting looks and a great sounding exhaust system, we expect a lot of interest in this car from Abarth enthusiasts and new customers alike.”

The Abarth 595 Yamaha Factory Racing Edition is available to order in the UK now, priced from £17,420 OTR.

Technical specifications:

Engine: T-JET, 1368cc, straight-4, 4 valves per cylinder

Peak power: 160 HP (132 kW) @ 5500 rpm

Peak torque: 230 Nm @ 3000 rpm (Sport mode)

Turbo: IHI RHF3-P

Air cleaner: BMC high-performance filter

Exhaust pipe: Record Monza 4 outlet valve

Transmission: 5-speed gearbox, manual

Suspension:

Front and rear: Abarth Koni with FSD valves

Ride: Lowered racing

Shock absorbers: Eibach front and rear lowered springs

Rims: Alloy 17-inch Formula – Matt black finish alloy wheels

Performance:

Top speed: 130 mph

Acceleration (0-62 mph): 7.4 sec

Fuel consumption (mpg) and emissions (g/km):

Urban consumption: 35.8

Extra-urban consumption: 57.7

Combined consumption: 47.1

CO₂ emissions: 139

Emissions standard: Euro 6

DS Virgin Racing announces it line-up of drivers for the FIA Formula_e 2015-2016 new season.

DS Virgin Racing is delighted to announce that British driver Sam Bird has retained his seat for the FIA Formula E 2015-16 season and will be partnered in the garage by French racing driver, Jean-Eric Vergne.

Bird, who represented the Virgin Racing team in the inaugural season of the FIA Formula E championship, won as many races as the eventual championship winner, including the London finale and a dominant victory in Putrajaya, Malaysia. 

The 28-year-old was one of the most impressive drivers in the first FIA Formula E season picking up three podiums and two fastest laps, in addition to his two race wins.

Having secured three pole positions and three podium finishes in year one of the FIA Formula E Championship, including a pole position at his very first race, Vergne is  a very exciting addition to the DS Virgin Racing Team. After success in British Formula Three, Formula Renault 3.5 Series, and three seasons in Formula One, the 25-year-old not only brings blistering speed but also valuable experience to the DS Virgin Racing Team.

Sam Bird said, “Last season was a learning curve but one I thoroughly enjoyed, so I’m absolutely delighted to be back with the DS Virgin Racing Team for the 2015-16 season. We had two great wins last season in Malaysia and then at my home race in London, so the aim is to build on that success and have a fantastic second season in Formula E. 

The advancements to the car around the powertrain are really exciting so I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel shortly in Donington to get some good testing in before the first race in Beijing.”

Jean-Eric Vergne said, “I am delighted to be joining the DS Virgin Racing Team at such an exciting time not only for the team, but also for the series given the new regulations for season two. With the DS Automobiles brand coming on board as a new partner to the team, I am looking forward to being aligned with a French, forward thinking marque. 

I understand that there are a number of exciting things going on behind the scenes that should ensure that we have a competitive start to the season. Looking back to my first race of last season where I qualified on pole, I am very excited to be getting back into a racing seat at the first race of the season in October. I am confident that my raw pace and appetite for success will help ensure that DS Virgin Racing continues to be one of the leading teams in Formula E.”

Alex Tai, DS Virgin Racing Team Principal, said, “We are thrilled to have retained Sam and to be able to welcome Jean-Eric to the DS Virgin Racing team for season two of the FIA Formula E championship. Both Sam and Jean-Eric are exceptional talents and I believe we now have one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.  

I’m looking forward to being able to compete for regular honours from race to race, and following the announcement of our partnership with the DS Automobiles brand at the end of last season, I am very happy that the good news for the team keeps on coming.”

The second FIA Formula E season will commence in Beijing on 17 October 2015 with summer testing starting today, 10 August 2015, at Donington Park.

New Tech means Renault ZOE can now go further on battery power than ever before.

• Best-in-class range for ZOE
• New 149 mile NEDC range – up 14 per cent
• R240 electric motor size reduced by 10 per cent
• Available in the UK later in 2015

The Renault ZOE’s range has been extended to a best-in-class 149 miles (240 kilometres) courtesy of a new lighter and more compact ‘R240’ electric motor and an optimised electronic management system.

The R240 is an all-Renault motor, designed by Renault engineers at the Technocentre R&D facility outside Paris and at the Cléon plant where the motor is made – close to Flins, where the ZOE is produced. ZOE now enjoys 19 miles (30 kilometres) of extra range providing the car with a best-in-class vehicle range in the official New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

The new motor features a new version of the Chameleon™ charging system which allows faster charging at home (3kW and 11kW). For each minute the battery is charged, users get an extra kilometre of range (charging times have been cut by 10 per cent for a normal charge). ZOE can still be charged at 22kW at fast charging points.

Improved range and faster charging times

• ZOE’s new R240 motor boasts improved performance (and consumes less energy), while offering a longer driving range and faster charging times.
• Boasting an innovative design and architecture, the new motor builds on Renault’s vast expertise in electric vehicles; 95 patents have been filed to date.
• Two areas of focus: improved electronic management to cut electric energy consumption on the move and a new charging system to reduce charging times at low power levels.
• Renault is fully committed to our electric vehicle strategy and determined to develop our expertise as an electric motor supplier.

A smaller, more efficient motor

When designing the new motor, Renault focused on integrating components which have helped to cut the motor’s size by 10 per cent without sacrificing performance. This opens up new opportunities for the motor to be fitted to smaller cars.

The R240 is a synchronous electric motor with rotor coil, with a power output of 65kW and torque of 220Nm. It also features a built-in Chameleon™ charger.

The designers’ brief revolved around integration, downsizing and simplification:

• Integration: modules are no longer stacked, having been replaced by fully integrated modules.
• Downsizing: smaller modules have been designed and assembled to meet precise requirements (gaps reduced between modules, external power cables removed).
• Simplification: an air cooling system is now used for the assembly (ducts between modules have been removed). Only the Power Electronic Controller is still water-cooled for its specific requirements.

‘Three in one’: the junction box, the power electronics unit and the Chameleon charger are now in a single unit called the Power Electronic Controller. The unit is 25 per cent smaller as a result.

Renault is committed to taking electric vehicle technology forward

Renault’s strategy involves enhancing the technology of electric vehicle (EV) motors and batteries in a bid to optimise the performance and range of EVs and support the development of infrastructure.

Courtesy of an all-new design and improved performance, ZOE’s new motor/battery unit boasts a range which has been extended by 19 miles (30 kilometres) to 149 miles (240 kilometres). 

Renault is continuing its research into improving electric motor technology. That’s the underlying goal of our involvement in the FIA Formula E Championship as both a technical partner to the series and the title sponsor of the e.dams-Renault team. By testing EV technology under extreme race conditions, this promising championship will help to speed up the progress of EV development in terms of both performance and range.

There are currently more than 50,000 public charging stations in Europe, 40% of which are fast charging points. This number will continue to grow in the years ahead and electric vehicles will become increasingly easy to use.

Renault EV sales in the UK were up by 90 per cent in 2014 compared to the previous year.