Schluckspecht Urban Concept, Germany

Schluckspecht Urban Concept from Hochshule Offenburg is a team of approximately 30 dedicated students spanning across diverse fields who come together with one goal: to build an energy-efficient car. No stranger to Shell Eco-marathon, their legacy in the competition dates to 1998, initially entering with only one Prototype vehicle but, over the years, they also entered the Urban Concept category with another vehicle.

Throughout their journey in the competition, the team was confronted with several challenges including making their vehicle lighter and more aerodynamic, which they solved by shedding unnecessary weight while enhancing aerodynamics and improving the overall efficiency. They developed a propulsion system concept that drastically reduces both weight and installation space, resulting in a significant leap forward for their car’s efficiency.

The road to the World Championship also presented logistical challenges to the team. To solve this, they wrapped the vehicle in a new livery, and had to meticulously coordinate everything to make sure that all went according to plan.

Their most memorable moments of this year’s Shell Eco-marathon: clinching first place in the Regional Championship in Nogaro, France. They eagerly anticipate engaging and competing with the winning teams from the Americas and the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East regions at the World Championship, which to them, offers an extraordinary opportunity to gain valuable insights and engage with other teams from different cultures.

The team’s motto, which encapsulates their passion and determination for excellence: "We chase the thirst of the combustion engine and break records for the future."