What made this feat possible was the fact that the car was designed completely using CAE software. Chief among them was CD-adapco’s STAR-CCM+. From hydrodynamics to thermal management to aerodynamics, STAR-CCM+ was used to improve the car’s design across the board.
Unlike previous ORECA cars, REBELLION R-One was designed from the ground up with a fresh start. This wasn’t an incremental design change, this was a return to the drawing board from concept to track. This gave the team the freedom to make decisions that improve performance without the limitation of “it has always been done that way” thinking.
David Floury, ORECA Technology Director, said, “The design bureau started working on the study of this prototype from scratch and completed the project in record time. Only twelve months separate the first initial sketch from the first roll-out!”
He added, “Using STAR-CCM+ was key in the process. We needed a reliable tool, with high precision, allowing a fine work on details and enabling innovation. Also, it is important to rely on previous experiences when conducting such a project; that is why the long-term partnership with CD-adapco has been particularly appreciated. The engineers were aware that the correlation between the CAD and the track would be excellent. We had to be efficient just like the technical rules and regulations written by the FIA and the ACO.”
This past June, at the 82nd 24 Hours of Le Mans, the REBELLION R-One car placed fourth overall. Additionally, the car beat many factory teams and placed first in its class. The car was driven by Nicolas Prost, Nick Heidfeld and Mathias Beche. Its next race is in Bahrain for the World Endurance Championship against Audi, Toyota and Porsche.
Source CD-adapco.