Just about every automaker – big or small – has at least a toe in the racing world. Lucid is part of that world with the debut of its new Electric Drive Unit (EDU) specifically designed for motorsport. It’s not just a concept either, as this compact system is already in use on “the world’s leading single-seat electric racing series”.
While Lucid doesn’t mention the series name directly, we’re talking about the Formula E World Championship. The series features a new racer for 2023 that features a front-mounted power unit in addition to a rear engine for improved regenerative braking. Lucid’s EDU combines a motor, transmission, differential and inverter in a compact package weighing just over 32 kilograms (70.5 pounds).
After Clearthe EDU has a maximum rotor speed of 19,500 rpm. It uses the same continuous wave winding and microjet cooling system as in the Clear air luxury sedan. The company doesn’t go into further detail other than to say that the EDU is proprietary and manufactured entirely in-house at Lucid’s California headquarters.
“With an incredible power density of 14.7 hp/kg and immense energy recovery, this power unit will once again change electric motorsport and follow in the footsteps of our revolutionary battery pack in previous racing seasons,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of the Lucid Group.
The 2023 Formula E World Championship started on January 14 in Mexico City. Rounds two and three shift the field to Saudi Arabia for back-to-back races in Diriyah on January 27th and 28th. The third-generation Formula E car is said to be more efficient and faster around the tracks, and will be governed to a top speed of 199 mph (380 km/h).
“For Lucid, the technology transfer between motorsport and road vehicles is a two-way symbiosis,” said Rawlinson. “This new motorsport power unit builds directly on the groundbreaking powertrain technology developed in-house by Lucid and road-tested in every Lucid Air. I’m excited at the prospect of some of the technological advances being introduced finding their way into future Lucid road cars.”
For more information on fast electric vehicles, visit Strolling over cars Podcast, available below.
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