Of all the cars that showed up at the Geneva Motor Show, few drew as many curious looks as the DS E-TENSE FE 19. The concept race car is DS Automobiles’ interpretation of the second-generation Formula E racer that the racing series also debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. Make no mistake, the new Formula E racer looks radically different from its predecessor. It's just that DS took that interpretation to another level with the E-TENSE FE 19. If you want the see the race car of the future, this is the version you should have your eyes on.

There’s no question that the DS E-TENSE FE 19 looks the part of a new-age race car. The Batmobile-like bodywork is impossible to miss, and when you combine that with a stealth black and gold appearance, this is what you get. The stealthy paint finish is an eye-catcher, but it’s not the only thing that defines the race car. With the new cars ready to take the streets of the world this coming winter, engineers in the DS performance division worked tirelessly to design and create its own spin on the second-generation race car. Parts of that job included developing the new DS E-Motor 19 powertrain and the accompanying transmission and cooling components that come with it. Even the race car’s rear suspension was put through the ringer, all with the aim of developing a race car that can thrive in the super competitive world of Formula E racing.

The evolution of Formula E racing is what’s spurring the rush of development among all the automakers involved in the booming racing series. That environment wasn’t lost on DS, which is why it joined Formula E and series rivals Audi and Nissan in presenting their versions of the next-generation race car. “The progress achieved recently by all the constructors involved in Formula E has spurred us to surpass ourselves and be even more resourceful,” DS Performance director Xavier Mestelan Pinon said.

The result of DS’ hard work is a race car that runs on electric motors that drive the rear wheels, generating close to 338 horsepower (250 kW). That kind of power helps it sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds before reaching a street circuit-optimized top speed of around 142.9 mph. Beyond that, the DS E-TENSE FE 19 also looks like a car Batman would drive. With respects to the versions Audi and Nissan presented, the DS E-TENSE FE 19 is the one that’s going to make it onto some kid’s bedroom wall.

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