SMMT News

SMMT supporting Future Car Challenge 2011

15 June 2011 #SMMT News

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has given its backing to the Royal Automobile Club’s annual RAC Future Car Challenge, which will take place on Saturday 5 November 2011. Starting at Madeira Drive, Brighton, the event uses the traditional 60-mile Veteran Car Run route in reverse. The finish will be in Pall Mall followed by a ceremonial finish and presentation in Regent Street.

The Future Car Challenge is open to electric, hybrid, hydrogen and low-emission internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and light-commercial vehicles. 2010 entries included prototypes and pre-production vehicles, as well as current production cars featuring a range of powertrains, offering the highest levels of efficiency.

For 2011 the total number of entries permitted has been increased to 90 and the diversity of the entry list has been recognised by the organisers, with a range of awards in different categories, including division by power source. The overall winner will be the car that uses the least amount of energy over the route.

“The automotive industry spends billions of pounds on R&D each year to cut emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Through next generation petrol and diesel engines and the development of new technologies, manufacturers have slashed energy use across all vehicle types and sizes,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “The RAC Future Car Challenge provides a great opportunity to highlight the full range of low carbon models already available and to demonstrate how new technology can deliver significant economic and environmental benefits in real world driving conditions.”

Welcoming SMMT’s support for the RAC Future Car Challenge 2011, Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee, said, “The backing of the SMMT for the RAC Future Car Challenge recognises the value of the event in showcasing the latest low energy vehicles and automotive components being developed by its members. The SMMT plays a vital role in promoting the UK automotive industry and in the ultra-low carbon sector many of its members are world leaders.”

In the inaugural Future Car Challenge last year, Gordon Murray Design’s T.25 City Car won two categories in recognition of both its fuel economy and environmental credentials. The car is a working demonstration of the revolutionary iStream manufacturing process, which won the SMMT Award for Automotive Innovation in 2010.

Click through to watch Gordon Murray, CEO and Technical Director, talk about iStream, automotive innovation and UK manufacturing.

 

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