Engineering students compete in FutureCar contest

University Engineering students participated in the FutureCar Challenge in Dearborn from June 17-24. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the United States Council for Automotive Research, the FutureCar Challenge is a contest among universities to design a car that achieves three times the fuel efficiency of ordinary cars while meeting urban pollution standards, consumer safety requirements and affordable cost levels.

Jack Groh, an organizer of the event, said he was pleased by the performances and turnout. "Overall, the cars performed very well and the people were pleased," he said. "It's interesting to note that many government officials and automotive executives attended, including the White House Science Advisor."

Twelve universities from across the country entered cars, which were judged on handling, acceleration, endurance, consumer acceptability, design, emissions and cost-effectiveness.

The University's entry, a modified 1996 Ford Taurus, is powered by diesel fuel and electricity stored in nickel-cadmium batteries. The car suffered from severe mechanical problems during the competition and ended up finishing 11th. However, the competition was only the initial round of the FutureCar Challenge, and the final judging will take place in June 1997.

Groh insisted that the University team is still in contention despite its low placing, and stressed the general importance of the competition. "It's really a win/win situation for the students. The competition gives the students first-hand experience that they can bring to a future job. It creates a pool of potential engineering people that domestic auto companies are seeking right now," he said.

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