How Students Built the World's Fastest-Accelerating Car

When it comes to automotive performance, few metrics capture the imagination quite like the 0-60 mph (or 0-100 km/h) acceleration time. It's a simple yet effective way to gauge a car's raw power and engineering prowess.

For years, this benchmark has been pushed lower and lower by the world's most advanced hypercars and Formula 1 machines. But now, a group of ambitious students has shattered all expectations, creating a vehicle that accelerates from 0-62 mph in a mind-bending 0.956 seconds.

To put this feat into perspective, consider that a Formula 1 car - the pinnacle of motorsport engineering - takes about 2.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. Even the fastest production car, the Rimac Nevera, needs 1.7 seconds. The previous world record for this acceleration stood at 1.46 seconds. The AMZ Racing team from ETH Zurich didn't just break this record; they obliterated it.

So how did a group of university students manage to outperform the world's most advanced racing machines? To find out, we spoke with Eloi Roset from AMZ Racing about their approach to this audacious project.

The Formula Student Foundation

AMZ Racing's project began with a Formula Student car as its base. Formula Student is a worldwide competition where university teams design, build, and race single-seater race cars. It's an excellent breeding ground for future motorsport engineers, with many graduates finding their way into Formula 1 teams.

However, the team quickly realised that a standard Formula Student car wouldn't cut it for this extreme acceleration challenge. "You don't design a Formula Student car for this kind of loads," Roset explained. The forces involved in such rapid acceleration far exceed those experienced in normal racing conditions.

The Three Pillars of Acceleration

The team identified three crucial areas to focus on: power, grip, and structural integrity. They needed enough power to propel the car forward at an unprecedented rate, sufficient grip to transfer that power to the ground without wheelspin, and a chassis strong enough to withstand the immense forces involved.

Innovative Aerodynamics

One of the most fascinating aspects of the AMZ Racing car is its aerodynamic system (check out our jobs in Aerodynamics here). Unlike traditional race cars that rely on their shape and speed to generate downforce, this vehicle employs an active fan system. By creating a low-pressure area beneath the car, these fans effectively suck it to the ground, providing enormous grip even from a standing start.

This fan system is particularly crucial because it provides maximum downforce at zero speed - exactly what's needed for a standing-start acceleration run. As the car begins to move, the team had to overcome challenges like maintaining the seal between the car's floor and the track surface, which is vital for the fan system to work effectively.

Suspension Wizardry

The suspension system plays a critical role in maintaining the car's attitude during acceleration. The team employed a hydraulically connected suspension system, similar to those used in Formula 1 before being banned. This setup allows the car to maintain a consistent ride height and attitude, crucial for keeping the aerodynamic system working optimally throughout the run.

Power to the Ground

For the powertrain, AMZ Racing went beyond the typical Formula Student setup. They designed their own electric motors, one for each wheel, effectively creating a four-wheel-drive system with individual torque control for each wheel. This setup allows for incredibly precise power delivery, maximising traction at each corner of the car.

The Brains Behind the Brawn

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this project is the control system. With such extreme acceleration, human reflexes simply aren't fast enough to manage power delivery effectively. Instead, the car uses a sophisticated computer system that monitors wheel speeds and the car's overall velocity 200 times per second. This system can detect and control wheelspin for each individual wheel, ensuring maximum acceleration without loss of control.

Breaking Records and Rules

In true racing spirit, the AMZ team didn't just engineer a fast car; they also found clever ways to interpret the rules. By running their record attempt on a slight uphill gradient, they were able to make just one run instead of the usual two required for a record on flat ground. This strategy allowed them to push their car to the absolute limit without worrying about consistency over multiple runs.

The Future of Acceleration

While the team believes they could have squeezed even more performance out of their car, they were ultimately limited by the structural integrity of their chassis. This highlights an exciting frontier in automotive engineering - as we push the limits of acceleration, we're also pushing the limits of materials science and structural engineering.

The achievement of the AMZ Racing team is more than just a new world record. It's a testament to the innovation and ambition of young engineers, and a glimpse into the future of automotive performance.

As Eloi Roset put it, "We achieved that. At that point, you have to also get back to normal life." But for a moment, these students made the impossible possible, redefining our understanding of what a car can do.