Paul Jeffrey
Premium
Studio 397 have today released their new 'Energize Formula E' DLC for rFactor 2, a first official DLC containing electric racing in PC simulation gaming.
The new pack contains the cars, drivers and teams of the 2017/18 FIA Formula E series in rFactor 2 and includes a version of the Hong Kong ePrix track to be used in the opening round of the real series later this week.
Due to embargos around liveries for the new cars the current pack contains the team colours of the previous season, however once the real world championship begins Studio 397 intend to update the content to reflect the current racing season.
Before we get into the detail of the new DLC pack from Studio 397, and in case you missed it on our YouTube channel, check out this little talk and drive first impressions video we recorded (very) late last night:
Featuring the Formula E Car 2018 and the teams, as well as a stunning rendition of the HKT Hong Kong E-Prix track!
All of us at Studio 397 are ecstatic about this release. It’s not just because we have achieved truly immersive physics and graphics, but we are equally proud of the close partnership we’ve developed with Formula E itself.
This newest release is part of our ongoing efforts to continually offer you, true fans of simracing, exciting and cutting edge motorsport content!
The series itself is thrilling and challenging in ways that will surprise you. You’ll have to rethink your strategy – no more easy flat footing to get on the podium! Although the racing still retains its close side-by-side action, tactics and strategy now play an equal role – a true test of your abilities to stay focused on the big picture!
We also wanted to use this opportunity to get in some exciting new features such as REGEN and power modes, as well as new cockpit and HUD elements to further increase the overall immersion and functionality.
Known issues:
- Track accuracy may be different due to late changes in layouts
- AI currently does not adhere to the 1 pit stop rule and does not try to save fuel by lifting and coasting
- Regen mode is based off braking and is automatic on braking
- Fuel indicator currently does not show granular detail on battery life, therefore we suggest using 3rd party plugins in the meantime
- Cars have one set of physics based on homologated data
- Liveries and helmets will be updated when embargoes are lifted
- AI will sporadically slow just after Start/Finish under full course yellow – this should not affect the race restarts.
Formula E is different to most series you may have driven before, it’s about strategy and optimising your power and battery life.
Firstly you should set up a few more controls in the options menu.
- Increment mixture and decrement mixture – controls “eMotor Torque Map“
- Engine braking map up and down (New) – controls “Regen Mode
For a Formula E race you usually have 1 stop, and Hong Kong is 45 laps for instance, so that means you need to go at least 23 laps on 1 stint (4.3%) per lap.
This means you need to lift and coast, for instance down the back straight you start coasting before the 200 metre board! If you saved more energy early due to a safety car or being very conservative, you can start lift and coasting later. Conversely, if you had to pit early due to damage or whatever reason, you may have to lift and coast even earlier.
After the lift and coast phase, you then brake late and if you have regen mode high, you will get more battery power back – there easy eh! Accelerating hard out of the corners will yield the main lap time benefits.
This car is all about how efficiently you can drive it. You have a set amount of energy to complete a race, and you have to find the most effective way to get to the end, that results in the shortest time possible.
Top Tips
- In qualifying you can run max power and high downforce, however in race use lower downforce to help eliminate drag
- Save as much power as possible to go for an attack at the end!
- Paint lines on street circuits are slippery, especially in the rain!
- 3rd party apps will give you a more precise reading on fuel, which will allow you to plan your race better
Check out the rFactor 2 sub forum here at RaceDepartment for all the latest news and discussion with regards to the simulation. You can take part in lively debates with fellow rFactor 2 fans and take part in some great Club and League racing events..!
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Have you tried the new Formula E DLC for rFactor 2 yet? What are your impressions of the content? Let us know in the comments section below!
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