Mike DickisonAssociate Dean, Engineering, Environment

& ComputingCoventry University

Sponsors

Creation of a lightweight, aerodynamicallyefficient sports car design through studentresearch projectsMike Dickison, Associate Dean, Engineering, Environment & Computing

Sparrowhawk – The Vision Exterior Design

Provide relevant, challenging and interesting student

projects

Create a team-working and collaborative working

environment, preparing students for industry

Demonstrate student and staff technical expertise and

capabilities

Develop a niche sports car that has genuine technical

innovation and appeal

Create a new niche car company in Coventry

Early Aesthetic Concepts

Body Concept Development

Early ¼ scale concept

Selected ¼ scale concept

Clay Model Approaching Completion

Rear Spoiler and Diffuser - Optimising Down Force

Open cockpit creates turbulence and drag

Air flows effectively through cooling system andengine bay

Current nose designcauses drag andrequires furtherdetaileddevelopment

Closed version generates less drag than open cockpit

Aerodynamic Development

Initial design demonstrated high rear lift

Optimisation included:-• Aerofoil section and angle of attack• Rear diffuser• Lip spoiler for roof• Vertical and rearward position of spoiler• Rear wheel arch ventilation

Novel Door Hinge

Door pivots out and thenupwards using a uniquemechanism

Exterior Design Rendering

1st Prototype Body

Lightweight Chassis Development Design

Basic frame provided as apackaging guide

Students provided withbasic package constraints

Early central tub design

Parameters for students• Aluminium alloy construction (CFRP too costly)• Structural performance and mass targets set

The vehicle mechanical and occupant packaging, chassisand suspension systems have all been designed through3rd Year and Master’s Individual Projects

Packaging and Mechanical Systems Design

Topology Optimisation and Design Development

Final Chassis Design

Multi cell side member toincrease structuralproperties and eliminatebuckling

Front andrear crashsections arebolt-on

Bolt-on rearpowertrainstructure

Mass and stiffness optimisation conductedSide impact beams not shown

Critical A and B pillar jointsrobustly designed

Battery Electric Vehicle Powertrain

Batteries packaged tominimise risk of damagein an accident and tooptimise weightdistribution

Both EV and petrolpowertrains allows forrear luggagecompartment

Chassis Manufacturing Jig

Suspensionpointsalignmentis finaloperation

Jig rotatesthrough 360degrees to allowoptimum accessfor welding

Welding andbonding usedwhereappropriate

Manufactured as subassemblies before final assembly

Summary

A complete driving platform has been designed for bothpetrol and EV powertrain systems

Safety, stiffness and mass has have been optimised

There are only minor differences between the petroland EV structures

The exterior body has been optimised for aestheticsand aerodynamics

Alternative bodies can be easily fitted making this anideal base for very low volume or one-off bodies

Our accolades University of the Year 2015

Times Higher Education (THE) Awards

Modern University of the Year 2014,2015, 2016The Times and Sunday Times Good UniversityGuide

97% of graduates employed or infurther studyDLHE survey 2015/16 – six months after graduating

Queen’s Award for EnterpriseInternational Trade 2015

Gold for outstanding teaching and

learningTeaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

2nd in UK for Teaching Excellence (TEF)Times Higher Education metrics ranking 2017

Top 4 for Student Experience and

Teaching QualityThe Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017

Ranked No.12 UK UniversityGuardian University Guide 2018

Thank You