FEST26 is the earliest completed electric race car in the team’s history. The vehicle first took to the track on 1 April, allowing the team to accumulate valuable testing kilometres ahead of the summer competition season.

At the unveiling event, visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the car’s development process and hear directly from the engineers about how a world-class Formula Student vehicle was created. The team introduced the car’s key innovations before ceremonially removing the cover from the new vehicle following a presentation video. FEST26 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately two seconds, generates 3G of lateral acceleration in corners and produces 405 kg of downforce at 120 km/h.

One of the highlights of the day was a demonstration run showcasing FEST26’s capabilities both with a driver and in autonomous mode. Visitors could also see the team’s fifth race car, FEST12, the final vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. In addition, 13 previous FS Team Tallinn race cars were displayed in Freedom Square, offering visitors a unique opportunity to see how the vehicles have evolved over time. Interest in the event was high, and large crowds gathered around the cars throughout the day.

One of the most notable innovations of the new vehicle is its active aerodynamics. Similar to the DRS system used in Formula One, the rear wing profiles can open to reduce aerodynamic drag, thereby improving speed and efficiency.

Another significant achievement is the team’s fully student-developed high-voltage inverter. This system converts direct current from a battery pack of up to 600 volts into alternating current suitable for the electric motors. As one of the most complex components of an electric Formula Student vehicle, such systems are developed in-house by only a small number of student teams worldwide. The custom-designed inverter is also lighter than conventional solutions, contributing to the vehicle’s overall efficiency.

Special attention has also been paid to reducing weight. Thanks to lighter battery cells, which reduced battery pack mass by 18%, a lighter inverter and numerous additional improvements, FEST26 weighs nearly ten kilograms less than last year’s race car.

The unveiling of FEST26 also marked the beginning of a new competition season. In July, the team will compete in international Formula Student events in the Czech Republic, Austria, Spain and Germany, aiming to further strengthen its position among the world’s leading Formula Student teams.