Team Schluckspecht Qualifies for the World Cup in Qatar with the S8
The combination of a 9th-place finish in the efficiency competition and the Safety Award led to success at the Shell Eco-marathon Europe & Africa in…
Schluckspecht: Rethinking Mobility Again and Again
Students and researchers work together to design vehicles that travel as far as possible using as little energy as possible—the “Schluckspecht.” In 2023, the team will celebrate its 25th anniversary! Since 1998, the project has been continuously evolving to meet current challenges such as the energy transition and the mobility revolution. Innovative propulsion concepts and construction methods are designed to set the standard for the future of mobility. Different models offer different solutions: internal combustion and electric, driver-controlled and autonomous.
Shell Eco-marathon Europe & Africa
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Team Schluckspecht Braves the Heat
On Saturday, the S8 and S5 classes will each compete in two more championship races at a similar level to the previous day.
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Team Schluckspecht Sets a New College Record
The Prototype S8 can travel 736 kilometers on one kilowatt-hour, and the S5 also performs better than it did last year.
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Things are going well for Team Schluckspecht
Both cars have passed the technical inspection, the racing suits have arrived, and the first practice sessions are looking promising.
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Team Schluckspecht has arrived safely at the Silesia Ring
Team members and vehicles are ready to go.
Get Involved
Schluckspecht thrives on creativity and sustainable solutions. That’s why we need a diverse group of people who are willing to get involved, roll up their sleeves, and work together. The team, supervised by professors, consists of students from the fields of mechanical engineering, biomechanics, electrical engineering, computer science, media, and business. True to the motto “Efficiency drives us, teamwork defines us,” the students not only work in the lab but also get together for team activities, take field trips to sponsor sites, and participate in international competitions abroad.
If you’d like to become part of this diverse team—we’re always happy to welcome new faces!
Support
Engineering excellence from the region is taking the world by storm. The Schluckspecht project tackles real-world challenges under real-world conditions, always keeping pace with the times. The focus is on sustainability and efficiency. Team members learn to work responsibly with limited resources, in a solution-oriented manner as part of a team, and under time pressure—skills that are essential in professional life. Companies that sponsor the Schluckspecht project are supporting the specialists and leaders of tomorrow who are already succeeding in the global marketplace today.
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Achievements
At the European Shell Eco-marathon (SEM), vehicles compete to travel as far as possible on one liter of fuel or a single battery charge. Team Schluckspecht has been a regular participant since 1998 and, with more than a dozen top-three finishes (including six first-place finishes), is among the most successful competitors.
In 2011, the Schluckspecht set a world record for battery-powered vehicles: 1,631.5 kilometers without recharging the batteries!
The project was also honored with the designation “Excellent Place in the Land of Ideas” and the Baden-Württemberg State Teaching Award.
The achievements in detail:
Shell Eco-marathon
2025 |
| 4th place, Urban Concept (internal combustion engine |
2024 |
| 3rd place, Urban Concept (internal combustion engine |
2023 |
| 8th place in the World Drivers’ Championship |
2022 |
| 2nd place in the Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine |
2019 |
| 5th place in the Drivers' World Championship |
2018 |
| 3rd place in Autonomous Driving |
2017 |
| 4th place, Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine |
2016 |
| 1st Place, Urban Concept (Internal Combustion Engine) |
2015 |
| 1st Place, Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine Category |
2014 |
| 1st Place, Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine |
2013 |
| 1st Place, Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine |
2012 |
| 5th Place, Battery-Electric |
2011 |
| 3rd place, Urban Concept Plug-in Hybrid |
2010 |
| 2nd place, Prototype Fuel Cell |
2008 |
| 1st Place, Fuel Cell Prototype |
2007 |
| 2nd Place, Fuel |
2006 |
| Winner of the Technical Innovation Award for a wheel hub motor |
2005 |
| 1st Place: Internal Combustion Engine Prototype |
2003 |
| Winner of the Conception Award for Monocoque Body |
Other Awards
2012 |
| Distinguished Site in the Land of Ideas |
2011 |
| World Record: 1,631.5 kilometers on a single battery charge |
2010 |
| Baden-Württemberg State Teaching Award |
Opportunities for Project Seminars, Bachelor's and Master's Theses
In the Schluckspecht project, we tackle a wide range of topics that are ideal for student research projects.
We welcome your own topic suggestions—if you’re interested, please feel free to contact us!
Design, construction, and manufacturing of highly efficient vehicles
Computational design and construction of lightweight components (e.g., wheel carriers, monocoque)
Development of lightweight components made from renewable raw materials (especially wood)
Construction and development of specialized test benches (e.g., engine and bearing friction test benches)
Implementation and optimization of control strategies for autonomous driving (with Prof. Hensel, EMI)
Mechanical and electrical integration of sensor systems (with Prof. Hensel, EMI)
Ergonomic studies and optimizations of the passenger compartment
Other Opportunities for Student Involvement
M+V Students:
Body & Aerodynamics
Mechanical Powertrain
Chassis
EMI Students:
Electric Powertrain
System Electronics and Electrical Systems
Measurement Technology & Data Logging
M/W Students:
Marketing, Social Media
Graphic Design, Photography, and Videography
Project Management
Recruiting
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