University News Last updated 22 February 2013
Birmingham City University have joined forces with Westfield Sportscars Ltd in a new partnership to develop the world’s first build at home electric race car kit, an all-electric sports car designed and engineered to support a growing demand for zero emission racing vehicles.
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 are tasked with supporting Westfield Sportscars Ltd 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 Ltd 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.
Parmjit Chima, Head of the School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems at Birmingham City University, said: "This is an exciting partnership between the School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems and Westfield Sportcars. The partnership will benefit students by developing a pipeline of valuable technical and employability skills, working on industry-led projects at the cutting edge of hybrid vehicle and full electric technology to aid the environmental agenda of reducing carbon emission."
Julian Turner, Chief Executive Officer at Westfield Sportscars Ltd, said: “Westfield and Birmingham City University have the aligned vision of future proofing tomorrow’s engineers and equipping them with tools for the future. Through the iRacer kit build, students, staff and parents will have an opportunity for on the job training in hybrid and pure electrical vehicles.”
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 strict EU regulations.