Swiss Student Team Sets New EV Acceleration Record
A student-led Swiss team has shattered the record for the world’s fastest-accelerating electric car, achieving a mind-boggling 0-62mph run in less than a second. The AMZ team, consisting of members from research firm ETH Zürich and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, achieved a time of 0.956 seconds using their hand-built EV named Mythen. This impressive feat beat the previous record by almost a third and covered a distance of just 12.3 meters before breaking the record.
The previous record for the fastest sprint from 0-62mph was achieved last year by Greenteam, a group of 20 students from the University of Stuttgart in Germany, who completed the sprint in 1.461 seconds. However, the AMZ team has now taken the crown with their exceptional acceleration time.
What makes Mythen so special is not just its power but also its weight. All of its parts were built by hand, resulting in a total weight of just 140kg. Despite its lightweight construction, Mythen packs a punch with a bespoke powertrain producing around 321bhp. This combination of power and weight allows for an incredibly fast acceleration time.
To ensure strong traction right from the start, the AMZ team developed a unique solution. Dario Messerli, AMZ’s head of aerodynamics, explained that while power is important, effectively transferring that power to the ground is key. Conventional Formula 1 cars achieve this through aerodynamics, using rear or front wings to push the car down. However, this effect only comes into play at higher speeds. To overcome this challenge, the AMZ team developed a suction-based system that holds the vehicle down to the ground, providing strong traction from the beginning.
The record-breaking time of 0.956 seconds is far beyond what any production car on the road today is capable of. It is approximately a full second faster than the Pininfarina Battista, the Ariel Hipercar, and 1.5 seconds faster than the Tesla Model S Plaid. It even outperforms the W16-engined Bugatti Chiron by 1.5 seconds in the 0-62mph time.
This is not the first time the AMZ team has broken the record for the world’s fastest-accelerating electric car. They previously held the record in 2014 and 2016 before being surpassed by Greenteam last year. The Greenteam racer achieved its record-breaking time on a track at Bosch’s site in Renningen. Weighing just 145kg, it had dual electric motors, four-wheel drive, and a bespoke battery pack that provided 247bhp. The University of Stuttgart reported that it produced around 1726bhp per tonne, with a peak acceleration of 2g, which is equivalent to the force experienced by astronauts re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
The AMZ team’s achievement is a testament to their dedication and innovation. Breaking records requires not only technical expertise but also perseverance. Greenteam faced a major setback during their attempt to beat the record when their car lost control at high speed and crashed into a tire stack. However, they persevered and ultimately achieved their goal.
The world of electric vehicles continues to push boundaries and redefine what is possible. The AMZ team’s record-breaking acceleration time demonstrates the incredible potential of electric powertrains. As technology advances and more teams strive for greatness, we can expect even more impressive feats in the future.
In conclusion, the Swiss student team AMZ has set a new record for the world’s fastest-accelerating electric car with their hand-built EV named Mythen. Achieving a time of 0.956 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint, they have surpassed the previous record and showcased the power and potential of electric vehicles. With their innovative suction-based system and lightweight construction, the AMZ team has proven that electric cars can outperform even the most powerful combustion-engine vehicles. As the electric vehicle industry continues to evolve, we can look forward to more groundbreaking achievements in the near future.