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Solar Car virtual garage

Explore and compare the various U-M solar car designs.

Written by: Ben Logan

July 1, 2017

Virtual image of Novum #14, the smallest and most aerodynamic vehicle of U-M Solar Team

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

Learn more about Novum

Image of Aurum #13, a second iteration of the asymmetric catamaran design or the previous car.

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

Image of Generation #12, with an aerodynamic, asymmetric design

GENERATION: #12

Featured an aerodynamic, asymmetric design after race regulations required cars have four wheels.

9th in 2013 World Solar Challenge

Learn more about Generation

Image of Quantum #11, the first U-M car to race and win two American Challenges, as well as the first with a victory in an international competition.

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

Learn more about Quantum

Image of Infinium #10, the fastest of any U-M car.

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

Learn more about Infinium

Image of Continuum #9, which debuted an innovative solar concentrator system

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

Learn more about Continuum

Image of Momentum #8, featuring a three-wheel design in order to improve on the aerodynamics of previous four-wheeled U-M cars.

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

Learn more about Momentum

Image of Spectrum #7, the first U-M car built to carry two passengers

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.

Learn more about SpectruM

Image of M-Pulse #6 in a virtual garage

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

Learn more about M-Pulse

Image of Maize Blaze #5 in a virtual garage

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

Learn more about Maize Blaze

Image of Wolverine #4, featuring aluminum disc wheels due to the unreliability of the three-spoke magnesium-case wheels of U-M’s previous car.

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

Learn more about Wolverine

Image of Solar Vision #3, the first U-M car to have a chassis build out of composite materials, as opposed to an aluminum space frame.

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

Learn more about Solar Vision

Image of Maize & Blue #2, designed using the same CAD software as the Boeing 777 and was tested in Lockheed’s wind tunnel in Atlanta, GA.

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

Learn more about Maize & Blue

Image of Sunrunner #1 in a virtual garage

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

Learn more about Sunrunner


MEDIA CONTACT

Ben Logan

Senior Digital Media Strategist

(734) 763-1652

belogan@umich.edu

Explore: Aerospace Engineering Campus & Community Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering Mechanical Engineering Students Solar Car

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