Premiere of the SW-06 car from the PolSl Racing team
Students of the PolSl Racing Science Club from the Silesian University of Technology presented their latest, fully electric SW-06 racing car, prepared to compete in the Formula Student 2026 season. The vehicle is the result of many months of intensive work by young engineers, including the independent design and construction of a new structure. During the premiere, not only the latest car was presented, but also the history of the team, the assumptions of the international Formula Student program and the path the students took from their first designs to the most advanced construction in their history.
Over 100 people worked on the construction of the new SW-06 racing car. The project was interdisciplinary in nature – students representing almost all faculties of the Silesian University of Technology were responsible for its implementation. The team included students of several fields of study: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, computer science, logistics and automation. Together they created a design that aims to achieve the best possible performance on the racetrack. Designers focused on minimizing vehicle weight, increasing aerodynamic downforce and ensuring high grip, traction, and the best possible performance.
The SW-06 car weighs just 267 kilograms, making it lighter than its predecessor. It is powered by an 80-kW electric motor, a 7 kWh 550 V battery, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. The designers also took care of its functionality – the vehicle was designed to facilitate servicing. Better access to key components allows for faster repairs and adjustments, which is especially important during competitions where every second counts.
This is the seventh construction prepared by the PolSl Racing team of the Silesian University of Technology and the fifth with an electric drive. The project is an important step in the development of the student team and is in line with global trends in the modern automotive industry. The students independently designed and manufactured most of the vehicle's key components, gaining valuable engineering experience in the process.
– All systems related to the drive, energy storage, battery, inverters, as well as the entire mechanical structure were made by students – emphasizes Dr. Hab, Eng. Mirosław Szczepanik, Prof. SUT, scientific supervisor of SKN PolSl Racing.
Team leader Dawid Domański noted that the latest car design is a significant step forward compared to previous cars.
- This is definitely our lightest electric car, the fastest and the most energy-efficient - says Domański.
He adds that, according to calculations, the car can reach a speed of about 110 km/h.
Michał Sornowski, a member of the PolSl Racing team, emphasizes that the project would not have been possible without close cooperation with external partners.
– In addition to the support of the Silesian University of Technology, we can also count on sponsors and partners who help us not only financially but also support us with their knowledge and experience. We work with companies in the automotive, electronics, and machining industries. When we encounter technical problems, we can always turn to them for help and benefit from their knowledge. This cooperation is of great value to us, - he emphasizes.
The student points out that working on building a racing car has enormous educational value and allows one to gain experience beyond the scope of their studies.
- We can confront theoretical knowledge with reality and work on solutions that have practical applications. This is an experience that cannot be gained solely in the classroom. For people who want to become engineers in the future, participation in such a project is extremely valuable, adds Michał Sornowski.
The students now face their first tests and starts in the Formula Student competitions in Germany and Poland. This is where the new design will undergo its most important test.
– On August 10th, we are going to the competition in Germany at the Hockenheim track – the legendary Formula 1 track. Two weeks later we will also start on the track in Słomczyn near Warsaw – announces team leader Dawid Domański
– We'll see how the car performs on the racetrack. We hope that everything will be fine – emphasizes Prof. Szczepanik.
Formula Student is an international engineering competition aimed at students of technical universities. It was established in 1981 with the aim of enabling young engineers to gain practical experience by designing, building, and testing a single-seater Formula 1-style racing car.
Every year, teams from around the world prepare new designs according to strict technical regulations. For students, participating in Formula Student is not only a sporting competition, but above all an opportunity to gain design experience, teamwork, and cooperation with industry – competencies highly valued by employers in the automotive and modern technology industries.
