Green Team Twente 2018
The Green Team started in 2012 with the mission to develop a sustainable transport solution with alternatives to internal combustion engine vehicles. Ever since the Greenteam participated in the 'Urban Concept' class of the renowned Shell-Eco-Marathon. The goal of this race is to drive as efficient as possible while sustaining enough speed to finish the race within a minimum time limit.
Responsibilities: Aerodynamics, Exterior Design
Innovation: Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Propulsion
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2017, GTT became the European Champion of their class, with a petrol equivalent of 870 km/l efficiency. The vehicle is entirely made from carbon and weighs around 108kg. Top speed of the H2∞ is around 35km/h.
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As German from the region of Frankfurt, I was chosen to represent the GTT in the Dutch area of the renowned international automotive fair (IAA).
I was able to tell our story and was inspired by the greatest German manufacturers and the future of automotive industry.
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The first challenge for GTT 2018 was to decide a direction and goal to work towards. Making a new car with improved aerodynamics became the main target of the team and my task was to set up a suitable mesh, that allows a detailed numeric analysis of the current vehicle. In addition to a small-scale wind tunnel test, calculations could be verified and new shapes were iterated to decrease drag.
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With a drag factor of 0.15, our concept allows a drag reduction of about 20% in comparison to the H2∞ of the previous year. The actual car is currently in the making. A new layer configuration and orientation are combined with upgraded carbon fibres to allow weight reduction and structural stability. Besides this major improvement, an additional cruise motor will allow for more speed, while customized fuel cell and adapted electronics together will be our strategy to defend the European Championship and get a podium rank in the Drivers World Championship.
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Within my function as Exterior Design Lead, I am responsible for the lights, windows, windscreen wiper and visual appearance, but was also actively involved in building the car and laying the carbon (left). We made a carbon sample window-frame with foam inlay, to test the adhesive chosen for the PETG windows. I tested the glueing force of the acrylic adhesive with a load of 25kg to be representative for the worst case windspeed scenario that may occur during the race on the track. The windows stay in place, while still being removable without damaging the carbon. Further, we built C-plates that are going to be used to distribute the structural loads inside the vehicle.
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We use the front light wiper motor of an old Volvo to have small dimensions while reaching required torque level. Multiple problems arose during the use. This year we substitute the conventional wiper arm, with a multiple pressure point wiper, to adjust better to the double curved surface of the front shield. We can further reduce the weight by attaching an aluminium arm. To stop the wiper from smashing against the front shield due to wide wiping angle, I replicated the guiding gear to match the vehicles wiping radius.
Concept Styling ideas for the new Car
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Final concept
My 8-bit interpretation of the major changes during the transition from team 2017 and 2018, done with AfterEffects.
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The final result of the car design process. After finalizing the concept we got the stickers printed and I was responsible to make the design real. Stickering the long and thin lines on double curved surfaces was a special challenge, but the end result is absolutely worth the effort. Sponsors and styling work well together and the colour of the Aurora One looks magnificent with white accents and wheel caps from carbon. In comparison to the original concept, I decided to tilt the front lights for a more aggressive look.