Godrej & Boyce facilitates next-gen auto experts from KJ Somaiya College of Engineering to design and build formula style electric racing car- ‘Lemnos’

The Orion Racing India Team will launch this electric racing car at the prestigious ‘Formula Student Electric 2022’ held in Germany
Orion Racing India plans to launch driverless formula style electric racing car by 2024

Mumbai, 15th June 2022 – Orion Racing Team from K J Somaiya College of Engineering, one of India’s only active formula student racing teams today unveiled ‘Lemnos’ their formula style electric racing car. The name ‘Lemnos’ is derived from Greek mythology and it means ‘the city of technology’. The car was built under the mentorship of Godrej & Boyce, India’s leading engineering conglomerate and the flagship company of the Godrej Group. The car was officially launched by Anil G Verma, Executive Director and President, Godrej & Boyce, in the presence of Formula 4 Racer, Mira Erda, Motorsports Racecar Driver, CEO of IR eSports and driving coach to Team Orion Racing India, Saurav Bandyopadhyay, K J Somaiya College of Engineering Principal, Dr Shubha Pandit and Team Orion Racing India.

The car will make its debut at the ‘Formula Student Austria 2022’ hosted at Austria’s Redbull F1 Racetrack in July 2022 and ‘Formula Student Germany 2022’ hosted at Germany’s Hockenheimring F1 Racetrack in August 2022 by the Team Orion Racing India, the only active electric formula student team from India to be participating at these two prestigious competitions. They ranked first among all Asian teams on this platform at FSG ‘19. At the event, Orion Racing India also announced that the team plans to introduce a driverless formula style electric racing car by 2024.

Godrej & Boyce has been associated with Orion Racing India since 2017. This year too, the team was mentored by engineering experts from Godrej & Boyce throughout the development journey of ‘Lemnos’. Along with technical guidance, the students were also provided with an access to the company’s advanced manufacturing units and resources to build this state-of-the-art electric formula student car.

Commenting on the occasion, Anil Verma, Executive Director & President, Godrej & Boyce, said, “At Godrej & Boyce, we have always been passionate about empowering our future generations. With 125 years of knowledge and expertise in technology, we believe it is our duty to motivate and support the next generation that bear passion to dream big and pioneer progress, just as we do. The young engineering minds have been an inspiration to all of us given their passion, dedication, and originality that they showcased while designing and building Lemnos. We are confident that Team Orion Racing India will make India proud at the Formula Student Austria and Germany races 2022.”

Aligned with the Company’s commitment to pioneering progress for our future generations, various businesses from Godrej & Boyce participated in empowering the students to pursue their passion of building and racing a globally recognized racing car. For instance, Godrej Aerospace was leveraged to build the bodyworks and aerodynamics package made from lightweight composite materials and special materials including composite prepregs. Other consumables required to fabricate the components were also provided to the students. Godrej Tooling also supported the students with a workshop facility which was equipped with the best-in-class precision tooling and an excellent surface finish for their wheel assemblies. The racing team were given access to the 3D printing facilities at the Company’s Prototyping Lab, for cell holders required for the high voltage battery pack used in the electric car.

Dr Shubha Pandit, Principal, K J Somaiya College of Engineering, said, “We have always encouraged our students and believed in them. We are proud of Team Orion Racing India for representing India on a global stage, and we wish them success in their pursuit of victory. We are also grateful to Godrej & Boyce, for mentoring and empowering our students with the resources to build an electric formula racing car of their dreams.”

Lemnos features the Emrax 228 MV motor controlled by UNITEK Bamocar D3-700 and has a maximum motor power of 100kW. The powerful motor coupled with ergonomic body and a meticulously curated drivetrain is set to provide a maximum motor rpm of 4600 and maximum vehicle velocity of 90 kmph during acceleration event.

Godrej & Boyce has been pioneering progress for generations since 1897 and has partnered with numerous colleges to empower the next generation to continue on the same path. From partnering with K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering to various IITs across the country and young start-ups, the company seeks to drive innovation that will help build the nation and drive business growth.

About Godrej & Boyce:

Godrej & Boyce (‘G&B’), a Godrej Group company, was founded in 1897, and has contributed to India’s journey of self-reliance through manufacturing. G&B patented the world’s first springless lock and since then, has diversified into 14 businesses across various sectors from Security, Furniture, Aerospace to Infrastructure and Defence. Godrej is one of India’s most trusted brands serving over 1.1bn customers worldwide daily. For more information, visit www.godrejenterprises.com

About Orion Racing:

Orion Racing India the Formula Student team from KJ Somaiya College of Engineering, a constituent college of Somaiya Vidyavihar University has been progressing since their establishment in 2006 where students, year after year are determined to put their heart, soul, talent, and expertise in the project. They have received various awards at multiple competitions for their achievements in a wide range of events including Design, Cost, and Business Plan Presentation. They have been the first ever Indian team to complete the endurance event a 22km long run at the international platform.

Their last electric marvel ‘Artemis’ won the Formula Bharat 2019, and they were crowned as the national champion for the fourth time. For more information, visit www.orion-racing.com

About Somaiya Vidyavihar University

Padma Bhushan Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya founded Somaiya Vidyavihar, an education trust in 1959, to provide quality holistic education. It was founded on the belief that education is an important pillar of nation-building with the power to change lives, and education must innovate to encourage the holistic development of youth. It is known as much for its Science, Technology, Engineering, Management, Social Sciences, and Commerce programs, as for its programs for academic studies in various faiths and cultures of India.

With over six decades of rich experience in building and managing educational institutes of great repute, Somaiya Vidyavihar has become a Private University in 2019, bringing all of its self-financing higher education institutions and the self-financing programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels under one umbrella. The University was enacted by an Act of the Maharashtra State Legislature and approved by the University Grants Commission, Government of India.