Technonoly Nuna5
Good road holding
Nuna5 is fitted with the latest technology and all aspects of the car have been improved in comparison with its predecessors. This year the competition rules have been changed. Slicks are no longer permitted. The tyres must now have a proper tread like those of normal cars. This represents an extra challenge for the team because treaded tyres create extra rolling friction and thus tend to slow the car. The top of the car is covered with 6 m2 of special solar cells. If the solar panel generates more energy than is needed at a given moment, the extra energy is stored in the battery. This is then available for use when overtaking or in cloudy weather.
(photo: Hans Peter van Velthoven)
30 kilos lighter
The car weighs some 160 kilos, which is over 30 kilos lighter than Nuna4. As one of the drivers observed, ‘It’s strange to think I’ll be driving a car that is only about twice my own weight. You hardly ever see such lightweight cars on the roads.’ But this will be the case in Australia, because Nuna will drive among all the others cars and trucks on the road. Nuna5 will start each morning at 8 a.m., after the starting signal, and only stop again at 5 p.m. The team will then erect their tents at the side of the road. Precisely at the spot where Nuna stops. So it’s not only a race, but also a kind of survival course. ‘We form a very strong team,’ says Rein enthusiastically. ‘We’re open with one another and work together very well. So with the qualities of the car and a clever strategy we look forward to the race with every confidence. Our team is just raring to go and invites everyone to follow the progress of Nuna5 (with start number 3) in October.’
