Yeah, the whole idea that they "look a bit weird" is being addressed by the body that makes the rules of solar car racing, by encouraging the development of several different classes of cars.
Those "baking trays on three wheels"
such as those Tokai University cars above, are in the fastest category called "Challenge" class. They are basically the "formula one's" of solar cars, and that look is just what the most efficient shape has evolved into. They are as thin as possible, with only one driver crammed in there, and only three wheels for maximum efficiency.
But there are other classes. The main other one is "Adventure" class, and there are a couple of others, and it's in these other classes that you'll find the more practical looking cars. Some of them have four wheels, some of them seat two people, and they are made to sit more upright etc.
So there are some slightly less weird looking solar cars out there! Here are some more of them -
This first one is "Merdeka 2" from the CDPM University of Malaya. I just love this one because it looks like it's saying - "To hell with your laws of aerodynamics!".
- 2009_WSC_Merdeka2.jpg (90.79 KiB) Viewed 386 times
This next one is "Kelly 62" from Australia - one of the few four wheeler, two seaters, and a real nice looking machine.
- 2007_WSC_Kelly62.jpg (66.43 KiB) Viewed 386 times
And this one is another one from Germany's Bochum University - "Solar World No.1" - this car just recently finished third in the 2010 American Solar Challenge.
- 200x_BochumUni_SolarWorldNo1.jpg (49.62 KiB) Viewed 386 times
