University supports demand for world’s first zero emission sports car
22 February 2013
Birmingham City University has joined forces with Westfield Sportscars to develop the world’s first build-at-home electric race car kit, an all-electric sports car supporting zero emission racing.
The iRacer kit, available from £13,999, can be transformed quickly between hybrid, pure electric or internal combustion engines and is designed for colleges, universities and members of the public to build at their own premises and in their own time.
The kit has been designed to complement Formula Student, a testing ground for the next generation of world-class engineers, and provide the next step in practical experience.
Birmingham City University will support Westfield Sportscars with the legislation targets to reduce CO2 and weight by a minimum of 20% over the coming years. The partnership will look at all road vehicles in the Westfield range to meet the target once work has been completed on the Westfield iRacer.
Based in Kingswinford, West Midlands, Westfield Sportscars has sold over 13,000 cars worldwide since 1983 and currently produces over 400 cars a year for driving enthusiasts across the globe.
Birmingham City University’s School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems will be exploring opportunities for students and parents to be involved in the project as well as offering master classes and short courses on how to build cars like the Westfield iRacer.
Birmingham City University’s partnership with Westfield Sportscars follows the recent Race Tech World Motorsport Symposium hosted by the University last month, which saw motorsport engineers from around the world gather at the University’s city centre campus to look at how elite auto engineering can help in the race to make road cars become even more efficient ahead of EU regulations.