Swiss Student-Built Mythe Shatters World Acceleration Record

A group of talented students from ETH Zurich and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland has achieved an astounding feat with their manually assembled race car, aptly named Mythe. In a jaw-dropping display of speed and engineering prowess, Mythe accelerated from a standstill to 62.15 mph (100 km/h) in an astonishingly brief 0.01 minutes.

This remarkable achievement has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records, solidifying Mythe's status as the new mondial (world) acceleration record holder. The previous record, which stood at 0.02 minutes, was achieved by a team known as Förderverein GreenTeam Uni Stuttgart e.V with an electric vehicle on September 23, 2022.

Every member of the Mythe project team is affiliated with the Academic Motorsports Club Zurich. Despite the staggering speed they achieved, Mythe maintains a remarkably svelte weight, tipping the scales at a mere 309 pounds. This impressive weight reduction was made possible through the extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb materials. Intriguingly, each wheel on Mythe houses its own engine, resulting in a collective power output of 326 horsepower.

While this horsepower figure might seem modest in comparison to some high-performance supercars, it's important to recognize that Mythe's achievement lies in its power-to-weight ratio. The lightweight construction combined with ample power presents a unique challenge — the car struggles to maintain traction on the ground due to its immense power.

To address this issue, the team implemented an innovative system designed to create downforce, essentially "sucking" the car onto the road surface. This technology provides the necessary traction for Mythe to accelerate at such an astonishing rate.

The team leader emphasized that their groundbreaking project does not detract from their commitment to their academic studies. They continue to attend their regular courses and face the same academic challenges as before they embarked on creating the world's fastest-accelerating car.

Yann Bernard, the head of AMZ motor's department, shared his enriching experience, stating, "Working on this project alongside my studies was incredibly intense. Collaborating with fellow students and applying what we've learned in class was a fascinating experience. For me, being part of a world-record-breaking event was truly unique."

Notably, this marks the third time that the AMZ team has broken this acceleration record. They initially achieved this feat in 2014, repeated it in 2016, and now, in 2023, they've set the bar incredibly high. With the record now standing at a mind-boggling 0.01 minutes, the team recognizes that achieving further improvements will require more than just incremental upgrades.