Western Sydney University has unveiled its newest solar racing machine, UNLIMITED 6.0, a lightweight three-wheeled car designed for one of the toughest endurance events on the planet, the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. With this year’s race set in the Australian winter for the first time, the student-built car has been carefully engineered to squeeze every watt out of limited sunshine.
UNLIMITED 6.0 features a number of upgrades that go beyond showy design. Among them is a front roll hoop made from composite materials. It weighs just under two kilograms yet can support the weight of an entire family vehicle. The entire driver cell and composite components have been manufactured in-house at the University’s Kingswood campus, a testament to the hands-on nature of the project.
Team Manager Ruairi Milligan said every element of the new model reflects the realities of a colder, cloudier race environment.
“Hundreds of components on UNLIMITED 6.0 were uniquely engineered to help our solar car perform at its absolute best, despite predictions of up to 20 percent less sunlight than previous events,” he said. “Our most efficient silicon solar panels and a completely redesigned battery management system are aimed at meeting that challenge head on.”
The car’s speed and efficiency specs are eye-catching. It can hit up to 130 km/h and run at highway speeds using no more power than a household kettle. It can cover 300 kilometres on the same energy that powers a Tesla for just 25 kilometres. Most of the build, from the aerospace-grade suspension systems to dynamic body panels designed for aerodynamics and cornering, took place on campus.
Electrical engineer and team member Isabella Warland explained that the team has pushed into new technical territory this year.
“Our steering wheel is entirely wireless now, which reduces weight and complexity. We’ve added sealed wheel covers and movable fairings. Every bit of it helps performance,” she said. “Thousands of hours have gone into the circuitry alone. It’s about building a machine where every small innovation plays its part.”
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge stretches over 3000 kilometres between Darwin and Adelaide, testing student-built solar cars in conditions that simulate real-world long-distance travel. This year’s winter timing means reduced solar exposure, putting pressure on engineering teams to adapt creatively.
Chris Selwood AM, Event Ambassador for the Challenge, said the Western Sydney Solar Team is well-placed to meet the moment.
“They are the only international team to win the American Solar Challenge. Their history shows they’re capable of meeting tough challenges with smart ideas and hard work,” he said. “There’s a clear sense of purpose behind what they do.”
Western Sydney University has again topped the global Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings for 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year as number one in the world for social, economic and environmental impact. Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, said UNLIMITED 6.0 reflects that standing.
“For over a decade, this team has quietly and methodically built some of the world’s most advanced solar vehicles,” he said. “They’re not just racing, they’re solving real problems and showing what sustainable engineering can look like.”
The 2025 project is backed by key sponsors including Abergeldie, Complex Infrastructure, Phoenix Contact, Revolution, Bridgestone and the Sydney Motor Sport Park powered by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club.
UNLIMITED 6.0 now enters its final testing phase before the team heads north to Darwin in August, with one eye on the road ahead and another on the shifting light above.
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