What concerns me is the filtering, K&N’s have shown in quite a few test to allow more particulate matter into a motor than the OEM paper element.

This article made me realize two things:

This is really neat and I had not read about this vehicle before, thanks!

That plus not changing tires for rain and not transporting multiple types of tires reduces cost in a startup series: http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2015/may/insight-why-does-formula-e-have-18-inch-treaded-tyres/

Discontinued in 2011, the latter day Crown Victoria began production in 1991 at Ford’s St. Thomas Assembly plant in Southwold, Ontario, Canada.