Boffins at MIT have unveiled a solar-powered race car they claim is capable of 90mph.
The $243,000 carbon-fibre racer will begin shakedown testing later this year, when it will aim to compete in the tenth World Sollar Challenge, a 2000 mile seven-day race across Australia’s outback.
Power comes from 580 silicon solar cells that cover six square metres and produce around 10bhp. The cells generate 1,200 watts of power, enough to run pair of desktop computers, and the energy stored is sufficient enough to power the car 200 miles without sunlight. Storage comes from a pack of 693 lithium-ion battery cells weighing 32 kilos.
Experts believe the car, named Eleanor, will easily reach the 90mph, but given the car’s stiff suspension setup and hollow body the driver is unlikely to be able to stomach the bone shuddering ride for long.
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