Take a closer look at the design details behind the Team Bentley Greenpower Car.
Design
The design has been completed on Catia V5, which all the latest Bentley Models are also designed on, featuring a shape similar to that of our 2004 Goodwood soapbox racer the car has had extensive CFD work completed which has managed to half Cd coefficient through the use of wheel covers, windscreen and rollbar design. See CFD videos below.
Body
The car is made up of a carbon monocoque with aluminium core to provide torsional rigidity, the body was produced by SPA composites. The roll bar is again carbon fibre composite built to Formula 3 standards at Bentley Motors, machined inserts are used to join the roll bar to the body. This gives us a good balance of strength and weight.
The carbon body was sent to Bentley's styling department where a paint scheme was divised. After extensive preperation Bentley's paint shop transferred the design to reality.
Suspension
Our car has 10mm of travel on each wheel, This was achieved on the Team Bentley car using carbon fibre beams under tension, These have been custom built from a mould we have specified to allow the carbon beam to flex the correct amount for our front/rear weight split. Kingpin mounts have been designed and produced at Bentley Motors. Hubs and axels have been produced by BETD.
We have utilised a rack and pinion system imported from America. Steering arms are a standard race car setup using rose joints and adjustable tie rods.
Drivetrain
Greenpower Regulations stipulate that a 24v motor and two-12v Battery’s must be used, we are using an electronically variable speed control.
To get the best out of Continental DC we use an 8-speed internal gear hub produced by Shimano, driven via 2 chains is one of the rear wheels which is usually a left-hand rear as we run on clockwise circuits. Gears are changed using standard bicycle equipment mounted to the steering column for easy access.
Wheels/Tyres
We have built a custom set of carbon fibre full dish wheels and matching wheel covers for the inside. These provide excellent strength, aerodynamics and weight advantages over spoke wheels.
Michelin kindly supplied us with a seasons worth of special Shell Eco Marathon tyres which are specially built for the series providing ultra low rolling resistance. In the corporate challenge we suffered 3 punctures, we have since been running a fluid tyre sealent which ensures punctures are instantly sealed.
The Bentley 'B' logos on the outside of our wheels stay upright at all times.
Electronics
The car features an Ebikes "Cycle Analyst" mounted on a Bentley Walnut veneer instrument panel.
We use a Race Technology DL-1 data logging system, allowing full GPS mapping. We are also be able to measure wheel speed, motor RPM and temperature.
Brakes
The car uses Hope brakes, normally for use on a downhill mountain bike, the brake is linked internally to our drive-wheel. As stipulated in Greenpower regulations the car features a brake-light, Continental DC's was originally used on the Le Mans winning Speed 8.
Interior
The car features a custom-made Bentley leather seat and Willans 4-point harness, we have a custom wooden steering wheel that is in-line with the Bentley brand. The car also features it's own walnut veneer dash similar to Bentley production cars.
