Citroën enters Formula E: everything about the 800-hp Gen4 revolution on the horizon

Illustration (AI) of the Gen 4 Citroën Formula E

The world of electric motorsport is surging with energy, and Citroën is preparing to make a landmark entrance. The "chevron" brand, backed by a colossal sporting heritage earned in WRC and WTCC, has officially announced its commitment to Formula E. The debut is imminent: the new Citroën Racing team will join the grid for the São Paulo E-Prix this December, opening the 2025-2026 season. This arrival is strategically significant. It coincides with the final year of competition for the Gen3 Evo single-seaters, a platform the brand understands well through the experience gained by the Stellantis group.

This first season is poised to be a strategic learning year before the true objective comes into view: the transition to the highly anticipated Gen4 for the 2026-2027 season. This new generation of single-seater, recently unveiled by Formula E and the FIA, is not a simple evolution but a genuine revolution. Designed to be faster, more powerful, and more spectacular, the Gen4 promises to redefine electric urban racing, and Citroën will be in a prime position to harness its full potential. For fans of the brand, this signals Citroën's return to the highest level of technological innovation in racing.

The Gen4: a monumental technological leap for Formula E

The future single-seater that Citroën's drivers will pilot from Season 13 (2026-2027) raises the bar to an unprecedented level. Formula E has revealed technical specifications that confirm a clear ambition: the Gen4 will be the most advanced electric racing car ever built.

The headline figure is power. The Gen4 will develop a staggering maximum output of 600 kW, the equivalent of over 815 horsepower. To put this in perspective, the current Gen3 (which Citroën will use in its debut season) produces 350 kW (475 hp), and its 2025 "Evo" iteration reaches 400 kW (544 hp). The performance jump is therefore massive, nearly doubling the base power of the Gen3.

This power will be delivered through a major innovation: permanent all-wheel drive. While the Gen3 Evo introduced four-wheel drive, its use was previously restricted to qualifying duels, race starts, and Attack Mode. The Gen4, however, will benefit from all-wheel drive (AWD) at all times. This capability will transform traction out of tight hairpins on narrow city circuits and offer a decisive advantage, especially in wet conditions, while also increasing energy regeneration possibilities.

Aerodynamics have also been profoundly rethought. The Gen4 will feature a dual-state configuration: a high-downforce mode for qualifying sessions where pure performance is paramount, and a low-drag mode optimized for the race, reducing energy consumption and promoting higher top speeds.

Finally, the Gen4 aims to be a relevant technological laboratory for road cars, an aspect dear to a manufacturer like Citroën. It will integrate an active differential to optimize traction and agility. The official Formula E press release describes it as "the world’s most efficient and sustainable racing car," boasting nearly 100% motor efficiency and the ability to regenerate 40% of the energy needed for a race. Furthermore, its structure will use 100% recyclable materials, aligning performance with environmental responsibility.

Illustration (IA) de la Formula E Citroën de Gen 4

More power for more spectacle: the gen4's DNA

The primary goal of this technical revolution is clear: to energize the Formula E audience by delivering more intense racing. With the Gen4, the on-track spectacle is set to reach a new dimension.

Even in standard race mode, the available power will remain exceptionally high at 450 kW (611 hp). This level of performance puts the Gen4 on par with, or even above, a current Formula 2 car, making it incredibly quick for city circuits. The combination of increased raw power, permanent AWD, and optimized aerodynamics is expected to significantly enhance duels and overtaking opportunities.

This development comes as Formula E has seen the departure of several major manufacturers (Audi, BMW, Mercedes) in recent years. The Gen4 is the FIA's and the championship's answer to solidify the commitment of current teams, such as Stellantis Motorsport (Citroën, DS, Maserati), and to attract new ones.

Championship leaders are not hiding their enthusiasm. Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, stated: "The Gen4 is designed for the pioneers of tomorrow. Its new capabilities... will challenge drivers like never before. It's a car made for duels and pure racing pleasure."

This sentiment was echoed by Vincent Gaillardot, the FIA's FE Technical Director: "The Gen4 is the most advanced Formula E single-seater ever designed. [...] With over 815 hp available in Attack Mode, permanent all-wheel drive, enhanced aerodynamics, and wider tires, it stands as one of the most high-performance racing vehicles in the world." He also emphasized that this was achieved while controlling costs and ensuring "maximum road relevance."

A strategic transition year for Citroën Racing

For Citroën, the timing is ideal. The 2025-2026 season, kicking off on December 6th in São Paulo, will be a transition year for the entire paddock, marking the end of the Gen3 Evo era.

Citroën's entry into Formula E coincides perfectly with this pivotal period. Rather than diving straight into a complex new set of regulations, the brand will benefit from a full season to acclimatize to the discipline. It will be able to leverage the immense experience of Stellantis Motorsport, gained in recent years with DS and Maserati on the Gen3 platform.

This first year will allow Citroën Racing to fine-tune its operations, understand the specifics of E-Prix (energy management, unique urban tracks), and accumulate valuable data with a proven single-seater. Meanwhile, engineers can focus fully on the development of the future Gen4 behind the scenes.

When the Gen4 hits the track for the 2026-2027 season, Citroën will no longer be a rookie. The brand will be ready to fight at the front with a machine developed according to its own philosophy. This future 600 kW single-seater will not just be a new racing car; it will, in fact, become the most powerful Citroën ever produced in the brand's history. A new era of performance and innovation is dawning for the chevrons.