The jury commented that their decision was made extremely difficult given the outstanding quality of the shortlisted entries. Unfortunately, issues of vehicle reliability meant that many entrants did not complete the race and therefore could not qualify for consideration. The winners were:
UrbanConcept
Winner: Østfold University College, who combined aesthetic elegance, aerodynamic efficiency and engineering excellence. They were able to assimilate a variety of concepts into a successful design whole. Advanced manufacturing techniques and computer-aided design resulted in a brilliantly-accomplished vehicle.
Highly Recommended: Fachhochschule Trier, who developed a truly UrbanConcept car by incorporating a passenger seat in the cabin as well as sufficient baggage storage space in the rear. Seeking sponsorship from professional car manufacturers Karmann meant that the team could develop a roadworthy design, close to translation into a commercial concept vehicle. The team’s future enhancement of the car should focus on the vehicle’s reliability.
Prototype
Winner: Fondazione Politecnico di Milano, Italy, who not only had an eye for the manufacturing of their Prototype, but also thought long and hard about the vehicle’s maintenance, designing it in such a way that all components were easily accessible. The profile of the car was defined by the team’s knowledge of and emphasis on drag coefficient and frictional resistance. The design cleverly incorporates adjustable ergonomics so that the cockpit could accommodate drivers of differing dimensions.
Highly Recommended: Politecnico di Torino, Italy, for their use of advanced materials in the construction of the vehicle, achieving an overall bodyweight reduction 32.3% on the previous year. The frontal area of the car was reduced by a similar proportion, and the functionality of components used was thoroughly reviewed and modified wherever possible. A holistic approach to evolutionary design in all parts of the car led to a significant reduction in the drag coefficient.
Jury Composition:
Stephen Stott, Autodesk
Holger von Appen, Shell
Ghislaine Pinson, SIA
Joan Majoor, Shell