* BMW i Motorsport presents drivetrain and design of BMW iFE.18 at BMW Welt in Munich. * BMW works drivers António Félix da Costa and Alexander Sims to compete for BMW i Andretti Motorsport. * Klaus Fröhlich: "Formula E is a perfect test lab. The technology transfer between motorsport and series production is intense."

Munich. The stage is set for the car and the team with which BMW will contest the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as of Season 5. On Friday, BMW i Motorsport presented the new BMW iFE.18 and the new BMW i Andretti Motorsport team at BMW Welt’s double cone in Munich (GER). The all-electric racing car impresses with a fascinating design, whereas the showpiece of the BMW iFE.18 – the innovative drivetrain – is hidden deep inside. The drivetrain was developed using the expertise of the same engineers that designed that of the BMW i3. BMW i and BMW Motorsport are working on the Formula E project in tandem, thereby facilitating a technology transfer between series development and motorsport unprecedented in this form. The two BMW iFE.18 cars, which will be in action for BMW i Andretti Motorsport in the Formula E races around the world as of December, will have the BMW works drivers António Félix da Costa (POR) and Alexander Sims (GBR) at the wheel.

“Formula E is not only an innovative and spectacular race series that has established itself as one of the top race series in the world with a totally new approach to sustainability and events within just a few years,” said Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development and Motorsport, who opened the BMW iFE.18 launch in front of media representatives, partners and other guests from around the world. “For BMW, it is also the perfect test lab for production development. The technology transfer between motorsport and series production is intense. Our experience from series production benefits the drivetrain of the race car. At the same time, insights from Formula E flow directly into the development of future series production drivetrains. So, I am looking forward to a great racing season.”

Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Brand BMW, explained the significance of the Formula E involvement for the BMW brand and said: “BMW stands for innovation leadership. We are pioneers when it comes to electromobility. We were convinced by Formula E from the very beginning and as ‘Official Vehicle Partner’ we’ve been involved from the start, in to order actively help shape the series. BMW i and Formula E share the same values: pioneering spirit and innovation.”

Information and photo source : BMW Sports Communications