Title: Aerodynamic design and development of the Sunswift IV solar racing car

Authors: Graham Doig; Chris Beves

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia ' CD-adapco, 200 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NL, UK

Abstract: The aerodynamic design and development of the University of New South Wales' ultra-low-drag solar-electric Sunswift IV car is described, detailing the student-led design process from initial concept sketches to the completed vehicle. The body shape was established and refined over a period of six months in 2008-2009, almost entirely using computational fluid dynamics. The guiding philosophy was that predictable handling and drag minimisation in challenging, changing wind conditions of the type commonly seen during the World Solar Challenge across Australia was preferable to high performance only on 'perfect' days. The car won its class in the 2009 and 2011 World Solar Challenges, and holds the Guinness World Record for fastest solar-powered vehicle.

Keywords: CFD; computational fluid dynamics; solar cars; aerodynamics; land speed record; streamlining; World Solar Challenge; renewable energy; ground effect; vehicle design; vehicle handling; drag minimisation; solar energy; solar power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2014.064550

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2014 Vol.66 No.2, pp.143 - 167

Accepted: 15 Jun 2013
Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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