The team is getting ready for Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2018, in the USA
Photo: Júlio Dallagnol
School of Engineering project Feng Eco Racing, has achieved outstanding results with the “Tordilho” – a biofuel (ethanol) energy efficiency vehicle. Comprising graduate and undergraduate students from PUCRS, alumni and faculty, the multidisciplinary team reached 2nd, in the category Ethanol, in the Shell Eco Marathon Brasil, earlier in November, in Rio de Janeiro.
During the competition, improvements were observed in terms of the car’s fuel consumption (20%), drivability and friction reduction. The car reached 250 Km/L. “Each member played a very important role, especially in view of the emotional aspect. Despite the problems, each member’s emotional control and technical expertise were very important. This was key for us to keep our balance and reach these goals”, says professor Bruno de Rosso Ribeiro, coordinator of the Mechanical Engineering program of PUCRS. Tordilho will hit the national roads again in November 2018.
International challenge
As the prototype has gained a new shape, the team is now working its way towards the international challenges in 2018. Feng Eco Racing’s next challenge has been scheduled: from April 19 – 22 the group will be participating in an urban concept event, the Shell Eco-marathon Americas, in Sonoma, USA.
Photo: Júlio Dallagnol
A new prototype is being developed for this competition, which will feature several US universities. “It’s an urban vehicle designed for everyday use, with two seats, four wheels and a trunk. It will be the first of this kind in the Shell competition in Latin America. Another fundamental challenge will be finding sponsors willing to help design this car, including traveling and logistics costs”, says he.
The project of the new car should be in accordance with the urban concept rules. “We’ll have to give the project a careful analysis and work on aerodynamics by using computer tools; and a proper engine running on ethanol. Sometime in November, the project will be materialized and the chassis and body work will be built”, comments he. The initial tests on the prototype are scheduled for the beginning of 2018.
Recognition in an out of the country
The Feng Eco Racing team has won several awards both in Brazil and overseas. In April 2017, it reached 3rd in the category Ethanol of the Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2017, in Detroit, USA. The team ran 206 km on 1l of alcohol and, in view of all types of internal combustion (gasoline, diesel, gas and ethanol), reached 21st among the 56 cars that finished the race, with representatives from the USA, Canada and Mexico, among other countries.
The competition’s participants are required to complete 10 laps in a closed circuit, downtown Detroit. Feng Eco Racing completed five. “We did not complete the 6th lap because time ran out. Our car never broke or failed when we hit the road. Most cars break down during the race. Not only is our car efficient, but also reliable”, said Anderson Antunes de Paulo, the team leader, a Mechanical Engineering major currently working in his Master’s in Materials Technology.
The project was presented in Buenos Aires, in September 2017. An invitation came from Volkswagen Group Argentina and Shell. In 2016, it made it to the top 3 at the Shell Eco-Marathon Brasil, in the category Energy Efficiency Prototype Vehicle – Ethanol, among all Brazilian universities. Back then, the competition was held in São Paulo.
