Greenpower is a series of events which aims to promote greater interest in young people to follow careers in the fields of engineering and technology. The 2008 Greenpower corporate challenge held yesterday was the first race of the season. 25 teams entered, comprising 15 school entries and 10 company teams. The Bentley team achieved their goal of completing the four hour race, despite some technical difficulties in the first section. The award was given in recognition of their excellent team spirit which they showed in overcoming these initial technical challenges. The F24+ season consists of eight 90-minute endurance race events which will culminate in a grand final at Goodwood in October. Race tracks on the F24+ schedule include Dunsfold, Rockingham, Croft and Aintree. The Bentley Motors team is composed of nine of the company’s apprentices who are all following a three or four year apprenticeship scheme at the factory in Crewe. Margaret Cheshire, Head of People and Organisational Development at Bentley Motors said, “It’s fantastic that the apprentices are not only gaining the technical skills associated with building a car but are also increasing their knowledge of other areas of the business such as finance, purchasing and public relations.” She continued, “It’s all about giving the individuals knowledge and expertise to be successful in their future careers after the completion of the Bentley apprenticeship programme.” Having taken the initiative themselves to compete in the Greenpower challenge the apprentices have devoted weekends and evenings for the past ten months taking full responsibility for all aspects of the car’s development. Three team members acted as drivers on race day, the rest of the team provided essential back-up support in the pits. Tom Hodgson, Greenpower team manager added, “In building the car we pooled the expertise and resources from across the business to produce a project of which we’re all proud. Having completed our first race we now know what we have to do to be successful for the rest of the 2008 Greenpower season. The experience of developing a project from idea to race-day was exhilarating. It was also hugely satisfying to see the positive support from sponsors keen to help the Bentley team”. Technical highlights of the Bentley Greenpower car - Its 24v Motor delivers 0.5bhp and 5.1 lb ft (7Nm): - Top speed of 40mph (64km/h). - Zero CO2 emissions. - Chassis & design: o Fixed carbon fibre suspension wishbones for maximum strength and minimum weight. o Excellent roadholding and superior grip from unique 1x16” carbon fibre wheels with bespoke Michelin low resistance tyres. o Rear grille matrix in chrome finish. o Bentley Hide/Alcantara trimmed interior o Specially built ECU to control motor/transmission More information on the project is available at www.bentleygreenpower.com TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION MODEL TYPE Single Seater Power Type 24v Wheelchair motor (Regulation) Installation Transversely mounted, One-wheel drive Power 240 Watt Torque 7 Nm Fuel Source 2 x 12 v Lead Acid Batterys TRANSMISSION Type Continuous one-wheel drive Gearbox Nuvinci CVP Ratios Infinitely variable between 0.5 under and 1.75 overdrive PERFORMANCE Top speed 40mph (64km/h). SUSPENSION Front Single wishbone rigid suspension Rear Single wishbone rigid suspension STEERING Type Rack & pinion, Turns lock to lock 1 Turning circle (kerb to kerb) 19.2m BRAKES Rear 160mm ventilated disc (to single wheel) Anti lock In development! BODY & CHASSIS Construction Carbon Fibre monocoque Length 1420mm Width (inc. mirrors) 1000mm (82.76in) Weight 120 Kg Height 500mm Wheelbase 1300mm Front track 1000mm Rear track 1000mm Wheels Custom made 16” carbon fibre Tyres Michelin Eco-Marathon specials FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSIONS Fuel consumption 2 hours per battery set Carbon dioxide emissions 0g/km CONTINENTAL GT FEATURE SPECIFICATIONS EXTERIOR FEATURES Bright chromed grille Bentley Wheel Badge INTERIOR FEATURES Trimmed Steering wheel, Seat and dashboard, Touch screen driver information panel in development Tom Hodgson Bentley Test & Development Engineering Apprentice Greenpower Project Manager Andrew Conneely Bentley Whole Vehicle Engineering Sponsored Degree Apprentice Greenpower Design of steering and suspension components Martyn Brookes Bentley Prototype Workshop and Test Facility Apprentice Greenpower Chassis, Design & Electrical. Ellis Dawson Bentley Apprentice Analyst Programmer Greenpower Team Marketing, Website, data logging and telemetry. Annabelle Gibson Bentley Commercial Apprentice Greenpower Contact for sponsors. Charlotte Watling Bentley Electrical Engineering Apprentice Greenpower Electrical design & Production and driver. Hannah Proffitt Bentley Body Hardware Engineering Sponsored Degree Apprentice Greenpower Interior trim, Steering and driver. Laura Taylor Bentley Trim Development Apprentice Greenpower Seat design and manufacture. Paul Johnson Bentley Manufacturing maintenance Apprentice Greenpower Data logging and telemetry We have received much support from across the Crewe Factory |