Although there is no tangible motorbike yet, the team presented the design today, using drawings and renders. The students took the opportunity to explain how they had made technical progress. In addition, it was a networking opportunity for sponsors.
During the thorough presentation, all technical details, from the tyres and suspension to the bodywork and the loading unit, were discussed. The new Mirage EVO reaches a top speed of 180 kilometres an hour, weighs 175 kilograms and can blast for 50 kilometres at full power before it must be plugged in again.
Render of the new Mirage EVO. Electric Superbike Twente.
MotoStudent in Spain
The new Mirage EVO meets the strict requirements of MotoStudent, the new competition in which the team takes part for the first time this year. As the team's External Relations and Finance Manager, Tim Angevere, explained before the presentation: 'This competition has a lot stricter guidelines than the Imatranajo in Finland (the competition in which the team previously participated– ed.) in terms of safety, among other things.'
This was confirmed during the presentation. MotoStudent supplies each team with the same tyres, electric motor, and brakes. This forces students to start all over again and come up with a new motorbike around these three key points. Among other things, the safety features and the tank cover were completely revised.
Innovative cooling
An old problem that the team threw itself at this year was cooling. 'With motorbikes, cooling the battery unit, the electric motor, and the inverter is always a challenge, because you have a relatively small surface area to work with. Overheating is always around the corner. We managed to solve that with a new cooling system," Angevere described. How exactly, remained a secret until the presentation.
With a so-called Phase Change Material, material that changes from a solid to a liquid state at 32 degrees Celsius, a large part of the heat can be absorbed. In addition, intake ducts provide extra air cooling in certain places.
Rookie of the Year
Superbiketeam Twente is the first Dutch participant in the Spanish event. 'We will be among 48 other universities. Mainly from Italy and Spain, but there are also teams from India, Egypt and the US.' Newcomers have an extra chance to win, in the Rookie of the Year category.
Points system
The Spanish league features several parts on which points can be earned, Angevere describes. 'First of all, certain deadlines in the design phase already count. Then there is the 100-meter acceleration test, an agility test, and a splash water resistance test. The top 20 in terms of points will then compete in competition matches, and the top 12 will reach the final. The party with the most points, so not necessarily the fastest on the track, is ultimately the winner.'
Racer wanted
The switch to the new competition brings an extra challenge. Angevere explains: 'One of this competition’s criteria is that participating racers should not have been in international competitions before, but do have a racing license. This eliminates our previous driver, Thijs Westenbrink. In motor-minded countries such as Spain and Italy, it is much easier to find young talent with these qualifications. In the Netherlands, the talent pool is rather slim. We already have a few candidates in mind, but we’re still in the talking phase with them.'
Side view of the new Mirage EVO. Electric Superbike Twente.
Electric Superbike Twente
The Electric Superbike Twente team consists of 19 students from both the UT and Saxion Hogeschool, divided into two disciplines. One team is concerned with the electric aspect, the other focusses mainly on the mechanical, such as the sprockets, chains, and shock absorbers. Sponsors include companies that support the effort with knowledge as well as parts and money. Angevere: 'The general goal of Electric Superbike Twente is to show that going electric can also work perfectly for motorcyclists. And of course we want to lay a good foundation for next year.'
