Solar Car Frames
There are three main options when it comes to selecting how to give a solar car structure: space frame, unibody or monocoque. To date, all of Midnight Sun's solar cars have used a space frame chassis except for MSXI which used a monocoque.
MSXII will use a steel space frame.
Space Frame
Unibody
Monocoque
A monocoque is a structural system where loads are supported through an object's external skin, similar to an egg shell. MSXI used a monocoque as its frame which presented numerous challenges with regards to structure, manufacturing and serviceability. Due to these challenges, most solar car teams do not elect to use a monocoque.
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| A Lamborghini Aventador has a carbon fibre central monocoque, with front and rear steel subframes. | MSXI's monocoque prior to vinyl wrapping. |
