3D-printed electric car is inspired by swimsuits

Formula Group T, a group of Belgian engineering students, is all about racing. The intent behind its latest creation, the Areion (named for a mythological horse that's both immortal and fast), is to change the game in the Formula Student series.

The Areion takes a different approach from other Formula Student cars, as it's been created using using the latest 3D printing technology. The team had automotive fabricator Materialise employ its Mammoth Stereolithography process to create the car's bodywork.

Part of the design was to emulate the exterior texture of advanced Olympic-caliber swimsuits. Those suits, in turn, were inspired by shark skin.

According to Wired, the Areion is motivated by an 85-kilowatt motor getting juice from a 50-volt lithium polymer battery pack. The nimble (617 pounds) formula car can do zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 88 mph. Wired makes a Back to the Future reference in its article, so we don't have to.