AIE’s Low Carbon Sports Car Project Impresses at Niche Vehicle Network Symposium

Lichfield, Staffordshire: UK engine innovators, Advanced Innovative Engineering (UK) Ltd were delighted to unveil the latest developments of their consortium project for the production of a low carbon, high performance sports car at the Niche Vehicle Network Symposium held at the Williams F1 Conference Centre, Oxfordshire on 16 March 2016.

The prestigious NVN Symposium is a well attended event where over 200 niche vehicle manufacturers and specialist technology companies come together to showcase the latest developments in low volume vehicle manufacturing.

Exhibiting the only full prototype sports car at the event, AIE were able to clearly present to visitors the compact size of their patented SPARCS-cooled 650S Wankel Rotary engine that was expertly integrated into an Axontexâ„¢ lightweight carbon fibre structure.

Managing Director of AIE (UK) Ltd, Nathan Bailey along with Chris Taylor of Axon Automotive delivered an exciting presentation epitomising engineering collaboration at its best, with their development of the high-performance car in affiliation with Westfield Sportscars.

Attendees to the presentation were impressed to discover that the project, which has been developed from clean sheet concept to metal in less than 6 months, is leading the way to develop the first British sports car with an integrated Wankel single rotor power unit; demonstrating the great potential to combine high speed vehicles with low carbon emissions for a cleaner, greener yet powerful ride.

Showcasing the benefits of AIE’s holistic approach to extreme engine downsizing, Nathan Bailey identified how the newly developed 650S rotary engine is able to provide almost identical performance to Westfield’s previously used four cylinder engine but with a 50% reduction in overall engine weight, providing a significant reduction in overall vehicle weight to deliver high performance, with less fuel.

The project which is supported by the Niche Vehicle Network and Innovate UK (the Office for Low Emission Vehicles) continues to move forward rapidly with extensive drivability tests being conducted.

To join in the passion for innovation that was evident at the NVN symposium event and to be first to see the ‘ride and drive’ debut of this new, UK first, low carbon high performance sports vehicle, join AIE on LinkedIn at AIE – Advanced Innovative Engineering (UK) Ltd or follow AIE on Twitter @aieukltd.

For more details on AIE (UK) Ltd services visit www.aieuk.co.uk or call 01543 223074.

About Axon Automotive Ltd:

Axon is a UK-based engineering company specialising in the development of cost effective carbon fibre structures for road going vehicles. Axon Automotive is able to design and develop vehicle structures, including Finite Element Analysis of crash performance. The company’s team can develop carbon fibre space frames that will pass Euro NCAP crash test and in production will cost about the same as aluminium structures of the same mechanical properties.

About Westfield Sports Cars:

In 1983 the company Westfield Sports Cars, located in Kingswinford, was created after historic grand prix competitor and engineer, Chris Smith decided to design and build a replica of one of his all-time favourite race cars, the 1956 Lotus XI Le Mans car, a year earlier. Ever since, Westfield has sold over 15000 cars world-wide and have a capacity to produce 600 sports cars a year for driving enthusiasts the world over. In an age of manufacturing imports Westfield are proud to boast high quality British craftsmanship in every aspect of production, right in the heart of the United Kingdom.

About Advanced Innovative Engineering (UK) Ltd:

AIE is a UK-based engineering company specialising in the development of innovative Wankel rotary engines. The AIE team boasts a combined experience of over 80 years in rotary engine design, R&D, and manufacturing; delivering products and services that have exceptional reliability, versatility and low total cost of ownership (TCO) for the global Aerospace, Automotive and Marine markets.