Chinese start-up squad NIO has unveiled its Season Five Formula E challenger, the 004. The team has also confirmed its 2018/19 driver line-up.
Briton Oliver Turvey will remain with the team for a fourth full season while he will be joined by former Venturi stand-in driver Tom Dillmann who replaces Luca Filippi at the team.
By signing for NIO, Dillmann has secured his first full-time drive in Formula E after racing on and off in the series over the course of the last two seasons, securing the best finishing position of fourth at the penultimate round of the 2017/18 season at the New York City E-Prix.
“I am delighted to be joining NIO," said Dillmann. "We have had some good test days, developing our new car and building our relationship.
"I particularly enjoy the competitive and professional atmosphere within the team and I can't wait to start this new and exciting era in Formula E with NIO."
In Season Four, NIO endured a season of peaks and troughs, characterised by constantly breathtaking performances from Turvey while Filippi struggled throughout the 12-round season, scoring only one point compared to his team-mate’s 46 which left the unit eighth in the Teams’ Standings.
Recovering from an injury sustained ahead of the New York City E-Prix, Turvey expressed his gratefulness for NIO's continuing support, delighted to continue his relationship with the team:
“I am delighted to be continuing to race for the NIO Formula E team, I would like to thank Gerry [Hughes] and everyone at NIO for their continued support," he said.
"Over the past three seasons we have grown together as a team, improving each season, and I was proud to be able to take our first podium together in Mexico City last season."
NIO Formula E team principal, Gerry Hughes added: “After an extremely busy period of Manufacturer testing over the summer months, it is, of course, fabulous to be able to officially launch the NIO 004 car, the race livery and our revised driver line-up for Season 5 at London’s Copper Box.
"With a revised driver line-up for Season 5 [it] demonstrates that we have been extremely busy in the off-season and I am very happy to welcome Tom [Dillmann] onboard to the NIO team for the start of this new era of open-wheeled electric street racing."
With an aggressive aero design, Season Five marks a complete overhaul in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as the series approaches its next generation of racing, with cars now able to complete a full race distance while also attaining higher speeds due to an increased maximum power output of 250kW.
Pre-season testing for Season Five will take place at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia from October 16-19 ahead of the first race of the season on December 15 in Saudi Arabia.
