Formula E recently developed a ‘GENBETA’ version of its Gen 3 car specifically to break the indoor land speed record. Recognised by the Guinness book of World Records this states the vehicle must be at a standstill at the start and finish of the attempt, the entirety of which must take place indoors, with instant timing via a speed trap.

The target for the GENBETA was the 165.20 kph (102.65 mph) set at the New Orleans Convention Center, in Louisiana, USA in 2021 by Leh Keen driving an all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S. The 2023 Formula E season finale was late July’s London ePrix at the UK capital’s Excel exhibition centre, where the track runs partially inside the building.

The two drivers who shared the GENBETA record attempt each started from a standstill inside the ExCeL and navigated a 130-degree turn at around 40 kph before accelerating along a 346 metre straight section of the indoor race track. A speed trap was set five metres before the drivers entered the braking zone needed to come to a complete stop still inside the building. The highest trap speed was set by Jake Hughes at 218.71km/h (135.9 mph).

Formula E cars are semi-spec having a spec chassis and front wheel harvesting system and battery while allowing teams to develop their own rear drive powertrain. The GENBETA modifications effectively ‘unlocked’ the specifications of the Gen 3 racecar, which was introduced this season. With a top speed of more than 322 kph (200 mph) Gen 3 is described as the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric racecar ever built.

For GENBETA Hankook, which supplies the spec tyre to Formula E, developed a softer tyre compound for faster warm-up and better peak grip, while SABIC developed alternative aero parts for lower drag. GENBETA exploited battery power output of 400 kW, up from 350 kW in Gen 3 through the activation of the front powertrain unit in traction. Thus was delivered all-wheel drive for the first time in a Formula E car; it might be standardised in the future.