Mahindra’s interest in Formula E is no mere formality. Behind the electric racing team lies a manufacturing giant, turning over some $16 billion annually and producing everything from tractors to aircraft to missiles. Handily, the group also includes one of the oldest manufacturers of electric cars.

It’s no wonder then that Mahindra Racing is taking its role as one of the sport’s eight new constructors seriously. Current E has been granted an exclusive peek at the team’s new powertrain and, while much of the package remains top secret, we can bring you some of the details here for the first time.

“We have optimised weight throughout the powertrain; improved cooling, which was an issue in the first season; and redesigned the transmission to better cope with the loads associated with the torque characteristics of electric motors and regenerative braking,” says team principal Dilbagh Gill. “We’ve also improved our chassis set up, aided by our new technical partner Campos.”

Season two rules allow for the motor, inverter, transmission and rear suspension to be changed – but, until the entire powertrain is opened up under the regulations (in season two, the battery remains identical and, with it, so does the permitted energy use), ironing out season one weaknesses is the shrewdest course for now.

That has shaped Mahindra’s approach to its season two effort, which Gill describes as evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

“Many of the innovations and improvements we’ve brought to our M2Electro powertrain will translate directly into our future racing and road car powertrains and into other technology areas across the group,” Gill explains. “But improvements must be balanced carefully with resources, to extract maximum performance without trying to reinvent the wheel. We’re looking forward to when we’ll be able to design a complete powertrain, including the battery. For now, we’re confident that we have a faster, more efficient and more aggressive package to bring to the track. It’s time to put Mahindra on the podium.”

The team has covered more than 2000km in testing, over four locations in Spain and the UK. “Testing has gone very well – we have a package that is very reliable. We know that M2Electro is considerably quicker than the first season car,” Gill concludes.

Here’s what is powering the team’s M2Electro racing cars.

Motor

Developed jointly with McLaren, utilising existing technology as a base unit but redesigned to Mahindra spec

Peak performance: over 19,000rpm and over 150Nm torque (vs 17,500rpm and 130Nm in S1)

Redesigned internal components, including new materials for the magnet and rotor

Weight remains identical despite increased performance

Upgraded McLaren control electronics

Cooling

Thermal efficiency gains through software upgrades

New lightweight cooling system, featuring downsized pipes and radiator

Cooling fluid remains water and glycol mix

Transmission

Hewland unit built to Mahindra spec

Four speed gearbox, ratios not disclosed

Bespoke casing to increase strength to weight ratio while meeting specific loads expected from running on street circuits; gearbox chassis brace removed

New shifting system: S1 gearbox used pneumatic actuators and a compressor to keep the air system topped up; S2 unit retains the actuators but replaces the compressor with an air tank which is filled when the car pits

Bespoke crown wheel and pinion, featuring new spiral shaping and tooth profiles designed to handle increased torque and load from regenerative braking (an area of weakness in season one)

Rear suspension

Redesigned wishbones and pushrods, supplier not disclosed

Increased strength to weight ratio, yielding around 15% weight saving

Software and driver controls

Better integration of overall electronics and updated software system, with a focus on giving the driver more control

New software controls to improve performance within regulations, while helping to enhance energy efficiency

Weight