College race car to compete in Formula SAE contest

Mumbai, July 3, 2012: Engineering students from the K J Somaiya College of Engineering, Mumbai, have unveiled Arion 2012, an open-wheeled Formula-style race car that is to compete in the Formula SAE Competition in August 2012 in Germany.

The Formula SAE competition, held by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), is the biggest engineering design contest in the world. It is a worldwide contest with events held in the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, Brazil and Italy. The competition comprises seven events split up into two categories: static and dynamic. The static events include cost and manufacturing analysis, and business plan presentation. While the car will be judged on its design, acceleration, skid pad, autocross, fuel economy, and endurance in the dynamic event.

Developed by Orion Racing India (ORI), a team of 60 undergraduate engineers from the college, Arion 2012 was built at a budget of Rs 17 lakh and took over a year to complete. The team used technologies like 3D imaginary-photo type software to design parts of the racing car and also used rapid prototyping in manufacturing, which enabled the team to design a car with enhanced aesthetics.

The race car uses a carbon fibre and glass fibre body which facilitates weight reduction and a greater strength-to-weight ratio. The electronics team designed a DAQ with live telemetry which allowed the team to analyse vehicle data in real time. Powered by a 600cc 68bhp Honda sportsbike engine, the Arion 2012 is claimed to go from 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds.

Commenting on the Arion 2012’s development, Shubha Pandit, principal, K J Somaiya College of Engineering, said: “The project promoted leadership, problem-solving skills as well as engineering and business skills throughout the entire process of designing and building the race car. I congratulate and wish the students all the best for their upcoming Formula SAE competition.”

SAMBIT SATPATHY