The vehicle, built in 1996 by Tendring Technology College design and technology teacher Simon Clapson, has regularly competed in the Shell Eco-marathon, which challenges young engineers from around the world to design, build and drive energy-efficient vehicles.
In 2014, students from the Essex college finished 16th in the world in the prototype petrol (gasoline) class at the Shell Eco-marathon. It was the best-placed British entry with 1,029 km/litre (0.03 gal/100mi).
Eddie Duggan, senior lecturer at the university’s department of science and technology, said: “The Torpedo will provide staff and students with exciting opportunities to use maths and programming in real-world applications.
“For example, capturing data from the car to plot a graph showing speed and time in order to calculate the optimum points to accelerate so as to minimize fuel consumption.
“Future projects to enhance the car’s performance could include designing and building, perhaps even 3D-printing, a mould for a new body shell to further reduce weight and drag.”
The Tendring Torpedo is on display in the foyer of the Waterfront Building throughout August.
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