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Plugged In Podcast: Jaguar's winning EV formula

Team director James Barclay shares how automaker's involvement in Formula E benefits its road vehicles

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Car racing at all levels is about entertainment. That’s why even the smallest race tracks have stands. But at its highest level, motorsport is about innovation and technological advancement. That’s why all the world’s biggest automakers have racing divisions. Race tracks are real world research and development laboratories, and the list of features found on road cars that began life in the pit garages is lengthy, from disc brakes to synthetic oils, and from sequential gear boxes to carbon fibre construction.

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In the electric vehicle realm, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championships is the place automakers – no less than six global manufacturers field two-car teams — push batteries and powertrains to the limits in the chase for the checkered flag. And in the process learn invaluable lessons about how to adapt what they learn to their brand’s road vehicles.

My guest this week is James Barclay, team director of the Jaguar Racing team. Among the questions I ask him are:

Why did Jaguar get involved in Formula E?

What has been learned on the race track that has been adapted to Jaguar electric vehicles?

How has the series evolved, particularly in terms of the electric race cars?

What changes should we expect in the coming soon Gen 3 race cars?

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