Student SAE Vehicle Project

The SAE Supermileage and Formula Hybrid teams are fundraising to purchase components for our vehicles. The team needs a a new Engine Control Unit ($1,000), and supplies to cast a new carbon-fiber monocoque ($3,000), as well as new wheels and bearings ($500), new drive motors ($1,100), engine ($300), motor controllers ($300), and energy-storage devices ($2,000). These components will help to make us competitive and fully functioning teams in the coming seasons. 

The SAE Supermileage Team has been active at University of Detroit Mercy for four years. The goal of this competition is to create the most fuel-efficient vehicle, with our record being 581 mpg. In order to do this, we make a lightweight, aerodynamic vehicle that fits a single person. To make the vehicle lightweight we use a carbon fiber unibody design, eliminating the need for a frame, cutting weight dramatically. To make the vehicle aerodynamic, we use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to calculate the drag of the vehicle and see areas where the air flow can be improved. We do all our own design work and make all parts (except the engine) in our lab on campus, which provides an excellent hands-on learning experience for all team members. As we continue to build on what we have learned the previous three years, we are hoping to achieve 800 mpg at this years competition in June.

The Formula Hybrid team is a recent addition to Titan Motorsports. The team has been active since September 2017 and is looking forward to traveling to Loudon, NH, to compete in early May. The goal of the Formula Hybrid competition is to create the fastest, most efficient car on the track. Teams compete in a four-day long competition that includes a drag strip and autocross, and concludes with a 44km race. The competition is split into two categories, electric and hybrid. Competitive cars can achieve top speeds of up to 70 mph, and withstand G-forces of up to 2Gs. Vehicles make use of new automotive technologies in powertrain, aerodynamics, chassis and energy storage. This year's powertrain is to be comprised of four direct drive 11kw DC motors, a 206cc ICE, and a brushless DC generator. Goals for this year are to design a fully functional, efficient and well-tuned vehicle to bring to competition.