Solar Car virtual garage
Explore and compare the various U-M solar car designs.
3 minutes
NOVUM: #14
The smallest and most aerodynamic vehicle that any U-M Solar Team has ever built. Measuring just over one meter shoulder to shoulder, Novum is roughly 43 percent narrower than the team’s last vehicle, Aurum. Its array is powered by the most advanced “multijunction” gallium arsenide cells the team has ever used.
Novum will race in the 2017 World Solar Challenge
AURUM: #13
Second iteration of the asymmetric catamaran design or the previous car. In the team’s 25 anniversary year, Aurum was the first American team to cross the finish line in one of the closest World Solar Challenges to date.
1st in 2016 American Solar Challenge
4th in 2015 World Solar Challenge
GENERATION: #12
Featured an aerodynamic, asymmetric design after race regulations required cars have four wheels.
9th in 2013 World Solar Challenge
QUANTUM: #11
Was the first U-M car to race in and win two American Challenges, as well as the first with a victory in an international competition.
3rd in 2011 World Solar Challenge
1st in 2012 American Solar Challenge
1st in 2014 American Solar Challenge
1st in 2015 Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge
INFINIUM: #10
Achieved a top speed of 105 MPH, the fastest of any U-M car, at one of Ford Motor Company’s test tracks.
3rd in 2009 World Solar Challenge
1st in 2010 American Solar Challenge
CONTINUUM: #9
Debuted an innovative solar concentrator system in Australia, but its success was overshadowed by a crash on day one of the race.
7th in 2007 World Solar Challenge
1st in 2008 North American Solar Challenge
MOMENTUM: #8
Featured a three-wheel design in order to improve on the aerodynamics of previous four-wheeled U-M cars.
1st in 2005 North American Solar Challenge
3rd in 2005 World Solar Challenge
SPECTRUM: #7
Was the first U-M car built to carry two passengers, allowing for a larger solar array as permitted by race regulations.
Failed to qualify for 2003 American Solar Challenge due to turning radius difficulty.
M-PULSE: #6
Crashed a mere 17 days before the start of the American Solar Challenge. The team completely rebuilt the car and won the race.
1st in 2001 American Solar Challenge
3rd in 2001 World Solar Challenge
MAIZE BLAZE: #5
Had its array completely rebuilt for the World Solar Challenge after it had frequently shorted in the Sunrayce ‘99 due to rain.
19th in Sunrayce ‘99
9th in 1999 World Solar Challenge
WOLVERINE: #4
Featured aluminum disc wheels due to the unreliability of the three-spoke magnesium-case wheels of U-M’s previous car.
6th in Sunrayce ‘97
SOLAR VISION: #3
Was the first U-M car to have a chassis build out of composite materials, as opposed to an aluminum space frame.
Dropped out of Sunrayce ‘95 due to safety concerns
MAIZE & BLUE: #2
Was designed using the same CAD software as the Boeing 777 and was tested in Lockheed’s wind tunnel in Atlanta, GA.
1st in Sunrayce ‘93
11th in 1993 World Solar Challenge
SUNRUNNER: #1
Set and shares the U-M record for 3rd place in the World Solar Challenge and 1st place in Sunrayce, now the American Solar Challenge.
1st in 1990 GM Sunrayce USA
3rd in 1990 World Solar Challenge