Shell Eco-marathon 2009, running always at least

Have you ever heard of the Shell Eco Marathon? For 25 years, the event organized by a large tanker is designed to work for students and engineers from major schools on ways to consume less. Rather big wheels outside the body, or small wheels completely hidden under the bodywork? On a tricycle with a rear wheel drive, is it better 3 wheels of the same diameter, or 2 small in front, and great on the back? On a vehicle with a roof entirely covered with photovoltaic cells, is it better body opaque or transparent? There are so many questions! But one place to know all the answers, the Eco-Shell Marathon, held last weekend at the Eurospeedway Lausitz, south of Berlin.

The goal of the game is to use the minimum possible fuel (petrol, diesel, biofuels, natural gas, LPG, hydrogen, solar). Race to the improved energy efficiency, the Shell Eco-marathon offers the last twenty years, a real challenge to participants from around the world. This year, 227 teams from 18 different nationalities (including 16 European) the challenge to lower energy consumption and will reach their educational project.

Had 112 vehicles running on gasoline, diesel 16, 10 LPG, 39 with hydrogen 11 in ethanol (pure, the E100), 3 GTL diesel (the fuel for which Shell built a huge factory) and 11 ran on solar power. The participants are students, who came all schools except the team of self-against whom it was a design school. It seems to us that this is a first. The car was beautiful to our eyes, of the Polytechnic of Turin (below), all carbon fiber, even the wheel fairings, with an impeccable finish.

But despite the diversity of competitors, and resources involved, the winner was once again the school in the Joliverie (below). The years pass, the students, but the talented forward, and the team this year broke all records. It was calculated that their prototype could travel 3771 km with 1 liter of fuel. This corresponds to an incredible 0027 l/100 km! Paris-Nice with a quarter of a liter of gasoline. But note at a speed of 30 km / h for a person with the size jockey who is not claustrophobic in a vehicle that would not be to his advantage on the road.

Vehicles that run the marathon Eco gear are great, but those of category prototypes are too special, too exclusively devoted to the very specific use for which they are intended. We prefer the urban concept, such as the Portuguese team against this. Body made of sheet aluminum, with solar panels directly from a DIY store. Wheeled scooter, a piece of plexi to the windshield is very far from the major achievements of schools, but it successfully demonstrates that it is possible to participate without spending a fortune.

Or green, the fruit of work by students of the CFA de la CCI de Nîmes. They finished 23 ° in their class, but they built a real small car with a funny look, and they have acquired a great experience, with memories that they will be happy to tell later to their children. More than the race itself, this is the most important part of the Eco marathon, he teaches young people with practical knowledge. Finally, in addition, it demonstrates that the motor has a future. These vehicles with ultra-simple, this circuit lined with wind turbines, how to think differently?

The Shell Eco Marathon attracts participants from all over Europe. The formula also exported to the USA since 2007 (in California) and Asia will affect next year (in Malaysia). For 25 years of trial, it was logical that a new change occurs. So in former East Germany, at Lausitz (near Dresden) takes place at this very moment the 2009 edition.

The records of consumption are in vogue. A team of Ford (engineers and driver) was able to go 1445 miles (2312 km) with a Fusion hybrid in the U.S. and Austrian drove 1562 km at the wheel of a Seat ibiza "Ecomotive" on a single tank of 45 liters of Spain, France and Germany.