As students signed an oversized card wishing President-elect Barack Obama good luck as he prepares to assume the presidency, the navy Penn State Chevrolet Equinox stood -- hood open and hybrid engine on show -- surrounded by onlookers who braved the icy temperatures Thursday to see the vehicle.
The car, a product of three years of careful design and craftsmanship, placed sixth in a national competition challenging students to create an eco-friendly vehicle.
Powered by a 1.3-liter turbo diesel engine and fueled by B20 bio-diesel and hydrogen, the hybrid car took three years for members of the Penn State Advanced Vehicle Team to construct and design. It was challenging, David Imler (senior-mechanical engineering) said, but it was "well worth it."
"We worked on it for years, wrote tons of proposals and had designated work nights," Imler said. "Some students spent 20 hours per week working on it."
Even though the team placed sixth overall, it won in several other categories, Imler said -- first place in fabrication and workmanship, first in control and technical presentations, best vehicle appearance and best education and outreach program, according to a competition release.
At the competition, the Penn State Equinox was accompanied by several 2009 Saturn Vue-2 Mode Hybrids and Outlooks, which will be at the presidential inauguration. Unfortunately, the Equinox won't go to Washington, D.C.
"The vehicles were requested by members of the Barack Obama inauguration committee," Saturn's Manager of Product Communications Michael Morrissey said. "We were going to ship them down there, but it didn't make sense to ship hybrid vehicles on diesel trucks."
Representatives from the company offered students hot chocolate and coffee during their visit. Kurt Gesell (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said the free drinks caught his attention, and he found it admirable that Saturn spokespeople promoted the hybrid cars, standing in the cold for the cause.
"It's great they stopped by our campus," Gesell said. "It shows Penn State represents change and being eco-friendly."
Kyle Garvin (freshman-mechanical engineering) and Emily Cernic (freshman-architecture) thought it was "amazing" to know students had designed a hybrid vehicle from scratch.
David Fecek (senior-mechanical engineering), who built the Penn State car along with Imler, said he's looking forward to working on the next vehicle. He said they would get a stock Saturn Vue and rework it to create a hybrid.
Fecek said the rigorous process takes about three years while team members aim to create a hybrid that would be accepted by consumers.
"The first year will consist of testing, design and simulation, the second year is dedicated to physical work on the car and the third year will focus on creating a visual appealing hybrid," he said.
Collegian Staff Writer Peter Panepinto contributed to this report.
