An all-electric GenBeta Method E single-seater racing automobile set a brand new indoor land pace file forward of this previous weekend’s last two races of Season 9 in London, clocking in at 135.9 miles per hour (218.71 kilometers per hour) within the fingers of NEOM McLaren Method E driver Jack Hughes.
The pace run was recorded on the 1,135-foot (346-meter) straight on the London E-Prix circuit, a portion of which is contained in the ExCeL occasions area. The earlier file of 102.65 mph (165.2 kph) was set by a Porsche Taycan in 2021 contained in the Ernest N. Morial Conference Middle in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Jack Hughes went head-to-head with fellow Method E driver Lucas di Grassi from Mahindra Racing within the collection’ “Duels” format that’s usually used for qualifying. Every of the drivers acquired three observe runs and one last racing lap, with the earlier file being immediately crushed within the first observe drive.
The drivers began from a standstill contained in the ExCeL area and navigated a 130-degree flip at round 25 mph (40 kph) earlier than shortly accelerating alongside the 1,135-ft (346 m) straight of the race monitor.
In the long run, Hughes – who skilled his first season of racing in Method E this yr – was the winner, however neither of the drivers had ever been in a GenBeta automobile earlier than.
“Driving the GENBETA automobile and setting the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the quickest pace achieved by a automobile indoors was a extremely particular expertise,” mentioned Hughes. “I really feel very honored to have been requested and to be concerned in such an thrilling challenge.
It wasn’t one thing I ever imagined I’d have the chance to even try, so now to carry the file is fairly unimaginable, particularly in a Method E automobile. I didn’t notice how a lot I wished this file till I noticed Lucas [Di Grassi] making an attempt to interrupt the file after me. Once I was introduced I used to be the file holder I felt an enormous sense of pleasure.”
At present, the Gen3 race vehicles function two electrical motors, one on every axle, and a complete energy output of 350 kilowatts (469 horsepower). Nevertheless, solely the rear motor is used for propulsion, whereas the entrance drive unit, made by Lucid Motors, is there just for brake regeneration.
Within the growth GenBeta automobile, the entrance motor may also kick in throughout acceleration, upping the ability output to 400 kW (536 hp), delivering all-wheel drive for the primary time in a Method E single-seater automobile.