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THE ONLY S-E ASIAN TEAM: The car - designed by NUS students (from left) Shang Jia Shun, Ridhuan Mukthar, Ng Chee Keong, Yeo Yicong, Chen Xianxi and Chong Kai Siong, all 25 - will compete on fuel-efficiency in the race in France. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
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STUDENTS from the National University of Singapore (NUS) will be flying the region's banner when they take part in the Shell Eco-Marathon, a race for fuel-efficient cars.
The team of six from the NUS mechanical engineering faculty are the only South-east Asian representatives at the race, which will be held in France from May22 to 24.
Their eco-friendly car, the NUS-ECO1, runs on a synthetic liquid fuel which is derived from natural gas and burns cleaner than conventional fuel, releasing less greenhouse gases. They may be the only team using this gas-to-liquids fuel.
The cars will be judged on how fuel-efficient they are. Last year's winner from Denmark managed some 300km on one litre of fuel.
The NUS-ECO1 can travel about 100km on one litre of fuel. It took the team 10 months to build the 3.04m-long car, which is powered by a 211cc engine and reaches a top speed of 45kmh.
MARIA ALMENOAR
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