DS VIRGIN RACING UNVEILS FORMULA E SEASON FOUR CHALLENGER

DS Virgin Racing has today launched its season four Formula E car – the DSV-03 – ahead of the opening rounds in Hong Kong, and coinciding with the anniversary of the team’s maiden victory.

 

The fully-electric single-seater features an enhanced livery in the team’s now familiar purple, red and silver colour scheme, with subtle tweaks throughout. Under the cover, the experts at DS Performance have worked on further optimising the performance and efficiency of the car, including a new upgraded software system.

 

In the cockpit sees the first ever all-British driver pairing of Sam Bird and Alex Lynn. Bird, 30, has competed in all 33 of the team’s race starts, securing five wins and nine podiums along the way to make him the third highest Formula E points scorer to date. Meanwhile, Lynn, 24, will embark on his first full-time campaign following his impressive debut last season in which he secured pole position at his first attempt; becoming one of only two drivers to have ever done so.

 

Today’s unveil also marks three years to the day since the team’s first ever win during the Putrajaya E-Prix in 2014 with Sam Bird at the wheel. This provided the inspiration behind the team’s new launch film, which celebrates the outfit’s heritage, successes and most iconic moments – both on and off the track – including the incredible double victory during last season’s inaugural New York E-Prix.

 

The 2017/2018 FIA Formula E Championship begins in Hong Kong on 2nd and 3rd December with a double-header set around the Central Harbour-front and overlooking the city’s skyscraper backdrop. The 10-turn route extends 1.15mile (1.86km) along Lung Wo Road, Man Yiu Street and Yiu Sing Street, and marks the second consecutive year for the city to host the event.

 

The circuit remains largely unchanged from last season aside from a revised chicane at Turns 3 & 4, with the drivers reaching speeds of up to 125mph (200kph) at the quickest point. New for this year will be two races of varying distances (43 and 45 laps) to add an extra element to the racing strategy.

 

DS Virgin Racing also continues with its strong partner line-up into season four with DS Automobiles, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Kaspersky and Total.

 

DS Virgin Racing Team Principal Alex Tai said: “As one of only three teams to have won in every season, for sure, our aim is to continue our winning ways into season four. We have two very strong drivers in Sam and Alex, a quick car and a fantastic, experienced team, so we have all the elements needed to make a real impact in Hong Kong and beyond.”

 

Driver Sam Bird said: “It’s always difficult to predict what will happen ahead of a new season but for sure we’ve got a good package and we’re ready to come out fighting. We had a series of very strong results towards the end of last season, which gave us a solid platform to develop on over the summer so hopefully this can translate into strong results.”

 

Team-mate Alex Lynn said: “I’m very excited heading into my first full Formula E season. It’s an amazing opportunity and one I can’t wait to grasp and showcase what I can do. Preparations have gone really well, from testing and simulator work through to fitness. With DS Virgin Racing, I know I have a great team behind me and a very experienced team-mate alongside me, so I can’t wait to go racing.”

 

DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “It’s great to start the season in such an iconic city as Hong Kong, and we’re looking forward to seeing the DSV-03 back on track. We achieved very positive pre-season testing results and this year, we will be able to start the season on the front foot, which is crucial when aiming for the win.”

 

Both races will be shown on Channel 5 in the UK from 09:00 with further TV coverage available throughout the globe.

To watch the 2017/2018 season launch video, visit: https://youtu.be/dC0ZkvzxOFs

 

For more information, or to download high-res images and videos from the team, visit: http://map.ds-virginracing.com/

 

Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix - Time table

Round 1: Saturday 2 December (local time)

07:00-07:45 Free Practice 1

9:30-10:00 Free Practice 2

11:00-11:36 Qualifying

11:45-12:00 Superpole

15:00 Race (43 laps)

 

Round 2: Sunday 3 December (local time)

08:30-09:15 Free Practice 3

11:00-11:36 Qualifying

11:45-12:00 Superpole

15:00 Race (45 laps)

 

DS Virgin Racing – Formula E race car technical details

Race car: DSV-03 homologated by the FIA

Dimensions: (Length x Width x Height) 5m x 1.78m x 0.99m

Wheel base: 3.10 metres

Weight of the car: 880kg minimum with pilot

Battery weight: 320kg (capacity 28 KW/h)

Engine: One electric motor / rear wheel drive

Max power: 200kW (271ch)

Racing energy recovered power: 150kW

Supply: 700V

Gear box: 3 speed

Brakes: Ventilated carbon disks, 4-piston calipers; adjustable F/R

with distribution controlled from the interior

Max. speed: 140mph (225kph)

Acceleration 0 to 62mph (100km) in less than 4 seconds

Tyres Michelin Pilot Sport EV 2, 245x40R18 (F), 305x40R18 (R)

 

2017/2018 Formula E calendar

2nd & 3rd December 2017 Hong Kong – with 2 races

13th January 2018 Marrakesh

3rd February 2018 Santiago (Chile)

3rd March 2018 Mexico

17th March 2018 Sao Paulo

14th April 2018 Roma

28th April 2018 Paris

19th May 2018 Berlin

10th June 2018 Zurich

14th and 15th July 2018 New York – with 2 races

28th and 29th July 2018 Montréal – with 2 races

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

ADRIEN DA CUNHA BELVÈS – DS Performance

+33 685 262791 / adrien.dacunhabelves@DSautomobiles.com

 

LUCY RILLSTONE – DS Virgin Racing

+44 (0) 7494 567886 / lucy.rillstone@ds-virginracing.com

TOM PHILLIPS – DS Virgin Racing, PR & Communications Manager

+ 44 (0) 7496 972965 – tom.phillips@ds-virginracing.com

 

DS AUTOMOBILES - UK COMMUNICATIONS

KEVIN JONES – Head of Communications

+44 (0)2476 884215 / +44 (0)7880 786596 / kevin.jones@DSautomobiles.com

 

UK PRESS WEBSITE: http://uk-media.dsautomobiles.com

For more information about DS Automobiles, please visit www.DSautomobiles.co.uk

FOLLOW DS ON TWITTER AT: www.twitter.com/ds_uk_official

FIND DS ON FACEBOOK AT: www.facebook.com/dsukofficial

FOLLOW DS ON INSTAGRAM AT: www.instagram.com/ds_uk

 

About DS Virgin Racing:

The DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team is one of the founding and leading outfits in the FIA Formula E Championship – the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series.

Headed up by Team Principal Alex Tai and with the continued support of Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, the team works in partnership with French luxury car manufacturer DS Automobiles, collaborating together in order to power innovation.

 

The team’s commercial headquarters are based in London, whilst it’s operational arm is centred at new state-of-the-art facilities at Silverstone, both overlapping with DS Automobiles’ facilities in Satory, France – part of the PSA Group’s Centre of Excellence.

 

Now entering its fourth season, the team remains one of the most successful on the grid. From its debut season in 2014/2015, the squad has secured an impressive 467 points, five wins, 13 podiums, six poles, five fastest laps and nine FanBoosts from its 33 race starts. It is also one of only three teams to have recorded victories in every Formula E season to date.

 

Meanwhile, Virgin Group is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel & transportation, financial services, leisure & entertainment and health & wellness.

 

For further information visit www.ds-virginracing.com

 

About DS AUTOMOBILES:

A French brand born in Paris, DS was founded on 1 June 2014. Its ambition is to embody the French know-how of luxury in its cars. Driven by its outstanding heritage and avant-garde spirit, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS, launched in 1955. Designed for customers looking for a means to express themselves as individuals, the DS Collection comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK and DS 5 (DS 5LS & DS 6 in China) and is complemented by the DS 7 CROSSBACK. The models in the DS range stand apart through their avant-garde design, refinement and attention to detail, advanced technology and dynamic serenity.

 

Presented at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, DS 7 CROSSBACK – the SUV from DS featuring Parisian-style innovation and savoir-faire – ushers in the next generation of DS models. With the DS 7 CROSSBACK La Première first edition model, forward thinkers can reserve their car online or at a DS Store or DS Salon, and be the first to get behind the wheel. Committed to high-performance hybrid and electric cars, the brand will launch the DS 7 CROSSBACK equipped with E-Tense, the hybrid powertrain by DS, in 2019.

 

DS models are available from DS Stores and DS Salons. DS also has flagship stores, DS WORLD PARIS, and DS Urban Store, at Westfield London. DS represents a brand experience that goes beyond the products to include ONLY YOU, a collection of exclusive services showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

 

Follow all DS news on www.DSautomobiles.com @DS_Official

 

DS Performance is the motorsport division of the business bringing technological expertise to Formula E through the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team. Future DS vehicles will have Hybrid (PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and Electric technology advanced by the competitive development at its motorsport division at DS Performance located in Satory, near Versailles, France.

 

About Total:
Total is a global integrated energy producer and provider, a leading international oil and gas company, and the world's second-ranked solar energy operator with SunPower. Our 98,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible. As a responsible corporate citizen, we focus on ensuring that our operations in more than 130 countries worldwide consistently deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. www.total.com.

 

About the FIA Formula E Championship:

The FIA Formula E Championship is the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets in the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities - including Hong Kong, Marrakesh, Buenos Aires, Monaco, Paris, Montreal and New York. The championship represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a platform to showcase the latest innovations in electric vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on the development of motor and battery components, which in turn will filter down to everyday contemporary electric road vehicles.

 

About FIA & Michelin - Today’s partners for tomorrow’s mobility:

As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next 10 years. This programme is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe.