Forze VII
Students of Delft University of
Technology in the Netherlands have presented the design of their new hydrogen
fuel cell race car. The car is based on an LMP3 chassis and will race against
conventional fuel-powered cars this summer.
Motorsport.com visited Forze Hydrogen
Racing Team in the 'D:Dream Hall', a dedicated part of the Dutch University,
where innovative projects are being developed - like the prize-winning solar
car, a Formula Student vehicle and the Hyperloop entry.
Delft students have been developing a
range of hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles since 2007 and competed in world's
first race for this type of race cars a year later. Step-by-step, they scaled up to the
design that has been presented on Thursday, a successor to their previous
circuit race car.
With their previous model, they secured
track records for hydrogen and electric vehicles last year on the
Nurburgring-Nordschleife with former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner Jan
Lammers and at Circuit Park Zandvoort at the end of the year.
The car is now being decommissioned as
several components will be re-used in their presented vehicle. The new car is
based on an ADESS-03 LMP3 chassis and the energy to propel the vehicle will be
generated by a 100 kW fuel cell, powered by hydrogen. The electric motors can
generate a maximum output of 200 kW. The Forze VII can reach a top speed of
about 210 km/h and hits 100 km/h from a standstill in less
than four seconds.
Instead of putting a famous driver
behind the wheel, the team has opted to have development drivers Jan Bot and
Leo van der Eijk pilot the hydrogen race car as they have years of experience
with the advanced systems.
The team aims to develop their car in
the coming years and to compete in the top categories of the Dutch Supercar
Challenge. Competing in other championships is not currently in the plans, but
won't be ruled out.
