GM EcoCar3 Competition Showcases Student-led Sustainable Future
Standardized competition, unconventional solutions
While the rules and judging criteria initially seem straightforward, how teams get to that point is at their own discretion. Larger battery packs improve range but increase weight, and decrease usable space. Likewise, a big conventional engine will improve performance but hurt fuel economy. Teams had to balance all of these considerations when designing their cars.
To that end, all 16 teams used varying powertrain combinations. During my day interviewing all 16 teams, I learned about battery pack sizing, placement, and role in the powertrain solution. Looking beyond the batteries, I saw everything from turbocharged snowmobile engines to conventional EcoTec four-cylinder engines and even a 5.3-liter L88 truck engine in the engine bays of these Camaros.
Of course, beyond the internal combustion engines and electric batteries, teams used a wide array of transmissions. Ohio State utilized an automated T5 5-speed manual transmission. Colorado State used a GM 6-speed automatic that was assisted by the electric battery pack. Some teams used continuously-variable automatic transmissions, and others used a GM 8-speed automatic.
Then there was weight reduction and aerodynamic improvements. Homemade carbon fiber body panels may have been a bit rough in finish, but they reduced weight. Similarly, many cars rolled on lightweight aftermarket wheels, to reduce unsprung mass. Other teams used aftermarket suspension, to lower the ride height and improve aerodynamics and handling. Seeing how the teams reached their end goals and implemented their solutions was fascinating.
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