(CNN) Now entering its fifth season, Formula E feels a world away from the sport that first appeared for its inaugural championship in 2014.

The "Generation 2" cars boast a new, striking design and, with 85% more energy, now drive faster and for longer than ever before.

Gone are the car swaps half way through a race, while the races themselves will now take place within a 45-minute time limit.

Mitch Evans, a driver for Jaguar, estimates there will be an extra 100 horsepower at the racers' disposal, creating significantly more down force and really bringing into play, for the first time, tire management strategies.

Nelson Piquet Jr., Evans' teammate, won the inaugural championship and has experienced first hand the evolution of a rapidly growing sport.

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'Tantalizing'

Such is the sport's growing popularity, drivers from championships around the world are offering themselves to join Formula E, some "for low money just because they want to be part of the series," says Piquet Jr.

This season, the most significant addition to the driver lineup is Felipe Massa, who joins after 15 years in Formula One.

"The level of drivers that are attracted to the series is just so high," Evans tells CNN. "I think it's going to be the most competitive championship in the world in terms of the caliber of driver.

"The depth of talent is just remarkable, so it's great to be part of that."

Evans' boss and