Media Advisory - Revving up their (eco) engines: U of T students set sights on first place finish in global fuel-efficiency competition

TORONTO, March 5, 2015 /CNW/ - It looks like a cross between a futuristic sports car and a bobsled, and can travel the equivalent of Toronto to Montreal and back on less than a litre of fuel – it's the University of Toronto's award winning fuel-efficient prototype vehicle.

Last year the team from the University of Toronto, dubbed Supermileage, made a splash placing second in the Shell Eco-marathon Americas Challenge –the highest result ever for a team new to the competition. Supermileage brought home multiple awards and kudos from spectators and participants alike for their results in the competition and for being the only team to design and build their own engine.

Energized by their success in 2014, Supermileage has gone back to the drawing board to redesign a lighter, faster and more aerodynamically efficient prototype.  And now the U of T team is gearing up to move from second place to first with an eye to dethrone five-time reigning champions, Université Laval.

With annual events in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Shell Eco-marathon is a global competition that challenges students to design, build and test the most energy efficient vehicles that travel the farthest distance using the least energy. In 2015, students are headed to Detroit, Michigan – the Motor City - to compete April 10-12.

Media in Toronto will have the opportunity to meet the team, and capture photos of the University of Toronto's prototype 2014 and 2015 vehicles.

WHAT:	U of T mechanical engineering students will unveil their latest fuel-efficient vehicle technology at a private, invitation only send-off event in Toronto leading up to their participation in Shell Eco-marathon. The 2014 and redesigned 2015 prototype models will be on display for photo opportunities. All media are welcome to attend the event.
WHEN:	Thursday, March 5, 2015
	Media Availability: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Arcadian Loft, 401 Bay Street, 8^th Floor
WHO:	Interviews are available on site with Mengqi Wang and Prashanth Murali Krishna of U of T's student team and Darlene Klassen of Shell Canada.

SOURCE Shell Canada Limited

Jessica Kitchen, Edelman, [email protected], 416-849-2839