"The biggest mechanical change from our second generation car, Brizo, to Calypso is the number of wheels. Brizo has four wheels while Calypso only has three," said Illinois Solar Car student advisor and MechSE undergrad Selis Yaltkaya.
Written by CBS News
Calypso, the newest car design from the Illini Solar Car team.
The nation's largest and longest-running auto show opens its doors at McCormick Place this weekend. There has always been something for everyone at the Chicago Auto Show – and this year, in addition to the concept cars and demonstrations by the big automakers, the Illini Solar Car team will feature their new vehicle, Calypso.
"We'll be racing in the American Solar Challenge throughout the American Midwest this summer – as well as the Formula Sun Grand Prix, which is a track race in Kansas," said MechSE undergraduate student Erie Berri.
The car is the team's first three-wheel design, as their two previous cars each had four wheels.
"The biggest mechanical change from our second generation car, Brizo, to Calypso is the number of wheels. Brizo has four wheels while Calypso only has three," Illinois Solar Car student advisor and MechSE undergrad Selis Yaltkaya said in a news release. "We needed to shift the placement of our driver and therefore had to come up with an innovative suspension design to accommodate this change, along with doing analysis to ensure the car will still be stable and safe."