Achievements

Overview

Since 1996, Sunswift Racing has pushed the boundaries of what student-led innovation can achieve in sustainable transport. From breaking world records to placing on the global stage, each milestone reflects our passion for engineering, endurance, and impact. Explore over two decades of breakthroughs, from early cross-country record attempts to our most recent wins in solar racing.

2023

Bridgestone World Solar Challenge '23

Sunswift 7

Sunswift 7 placed first overall in the cruiser class.

2022

Optus Remote Driving Initiative

Sunswift 7

Sunswift partnered with Optus to showcase the capabilities of the Optus 5G network, with Audi driver Chaz Mostert driving Sunswift 7 remotely around the Adelaide Parklands circuit.

Guinness World Record '22

Sunswift 7

Sunswift 7 achieved the fastest 1000 km achieved by an electric car on a single charge.

2019

Bridgestone World Solar Challenge '19

Sunswift VIolet

Sunswift placed 2nd overall in the Cruiser class, and finished first across the line in Adelaide.

2018

Guinness World Record '18

Sunswift VIolet

Lowest Energy Consumption Driving Trans-Australia (Perth to Sydney) - Electric Car.

2017

Bridgestone World Solar Challenge '17

Sunswift VIolet

3rd in Practicality Judging of Cruiser Class in World Solar Challenge

2015

Bridgestone World Solar Challenge '15

Sunswift eVe

Sunswift eVe finished 3rd across the line and 4th overall.

2014

FIA Land Speed Record

Sunswift eVe

Sunswift eVe breaks the record for the fastest electric car over 500 kilometres (310mi), with an average speed of 107 kilometres per hour (66mph). The previous record of 73 kilometres per hour (45mph) was set in 1988.

2013

Bridgestone World Solar Challenge '13

Sunswift eVe

Sunswift eVe Line Honours and 3rd overall in Cruiser Class, including a top speed of 128 kilometres per hour (80mph).

2011

World Solar Challenge '11

Sunswift IVy

Sunswift IVy finished 1st in the Production Challenge Class and 6th overall.

Guinness World Record '11

Sunswift IVy

Fastest Solar Powered Vehicle: 88.8 kilometres per hour (55.2mph).

2009

World Solar Challenge '09

Sunswift IVy

Sunswift IV finished 1st in the Silicon Challenge Class and 4th overall at 3:08pm on 29 October.

2007

Engineers Australia

Sunswift III

Jaycar Sunswift III broke the world record for a solar car journey from Perth to Sydney. The team finished the journey in 5.5 days, breaking the previous record by 3 days.

World Solar Challenge '07

Sunswift III

• Placed 4th in the Adventure Challenge
• Placed 9th overall in the World Solar Challenge
• Prestigious Freescale Technical Innovation Award (Most efficient)

2005

World Solar Challenge '05

Sunswift III

UNSW Sunswift III was the 9th car (and the first with silicon solar cells) to cross the line, arriving in 5 days.

2003

SunRace '03

Sunswift II

2nd Place.

2002

SunRace '02

Sunswift II

2nd Place.

2001

World Solar Challenge '01

Sunswift II

UNSW Sunswift II was the 11th car to cross the line.

1999

Federal Government

Sunswift II

NRMA Sunswift II participated in a trade exhibition in Taipei, on request from the Federal Government.

CitiPower SunRace '99

Sunswift II

Three days after completing the Perth-Sydney record attempt the team entered the CitiPower SunRace. NRMA Sunswift II obtained third place in a highly competitive field of five entries, proving the car's reliability and the team's dedication after five continuous weeks on the road.

Transcontinental Record Attempt '99

Sunswift II

The car 'NRMA Sunswift II' completed 4,012 kilometres (2,493 mi) in ten days, despite five days of bad weather. Even though the record of 8½ days was not broken, the attempt was still regarded to be a success with $2.4 million worth of publicity generated.

World Solar Challenge '99

Sunswift II

NRMA Sunswift II finished a respectable 18th out of 48 international entries.

1996

World Solar Challenge '96

Sunswift I

Sunswift finished 9th out of 46 entries. This was the University's first entry in a solar car event amongst the prestigious and competitive entries from Honda Motors Corporation, the Swiss entry from Biel, and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.