Two cars designed and built by Michigan State University engineering students will be on display at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
A car built by the MSU Solar Car Team will make its second appearance at the NAIAS, while the MSU Formula Racing Team will have an exhibit for the ninth year in a row.
The annual auto show is Jan. 11-24 at Detroit’s Cobo Hall.
The Formula Racing Team will display the SR15, an innovative racer it designed and built in 2014. This year’s model will have a few upgrades, including a new chassis design, new engine, smaller wheels and tires, and a more advanced electrical system.
“Formula SAE is a great opportunity for students to experience real-world engineering applications,” said team leader Jonathan Bianchi, a senior from Sterling Heights. “With that, members have a chance to better understand the automotive industry and help determine which areas they are most passionate about.”
Both the racing team and the solar team are composed of about 25 primarily undergraduate students from across the university. Participating gives the students hands-on multidisciplinary experiences in the fields of engineering, business and management.
For more information on the teams, visit www.msusolar.com and http://www.egr.msu.edu/fsae/.