EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge on display October 5th
September 28, 2009
A team of engineering students from Penn State today (September 28, 2009) took delivery of a 2009 Saturn VUE, donated by General Motors. In anticipation of the EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, the team will reveal the VUE to the public on Monday, October 5th from 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. at their research facilities, located at the Research-B Building on Hastings Road.
During this event, the Penn State Advanced Vehicle Team will give a presentation to the public about the competition, provide a tour of their facilities, and reveal their Saturn VUE. The Penn State team hopes to transform the VUE into the next generation EcoCAR and prove they are the next generation of automotive engineers who will design and build the environmental vehicles of the future.
As the student engineers from Penn State embark on the second phase of the challenge, they will incorporate an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) powered by a 1 .3L GM diesel engine to drive a 75kW electric generator. Finally, a 120 kW electronic traction system and B20 biodiesel will fuel the Saturn VUE.
"EcoCAR gives students hands-on design and engineering experience," said Professor Gary Neal. "Our students have worked hard this past year, and they are excited for the opportunity to integrate their designs into the vehicle."
EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, along with its headline sponsors - the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors (GM), challenges 17 universities across North America to redesign and reengineer a 2009 Saturn VUE to further minimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions, while retaining the vehicles performance and consumer appeal.
EcoCAR seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by giving them the tools and experience necessary to secure a more energy-efficient future.
For more information regarding the event or the AVT Team, please email Dana Bubonovich at danabubonovich@gmail.com or call 412-720-8696.