ITS Campus, ITS News — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has once again demonstrated its commitment to developing high-performance research vehicles capable of competing on the international stage. Through its flagship automotive research team, ITS Sapuangin Team, ITS has officially unveiled its latest formula racing car, Sapuangin Speed 8, which is set to compete against teams from leading universities worldwide at the prestigious Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Japan 2026, scheduled to take place in early August.
ITS Rector Prof Dr Ir Bambang Pramujati S.T., M.Sc.Eng., Ph.D. emphasized that the team’s months of intensive research and development in the workshop have provided invaluable opportunities for students to develop skills and character that will benefit their future careers. Through this research process, students learn how to build effective teams and manage their time efficiently.
“This is a valuable learning experience that cannot be found in the classroom. Do your best, maintain strong teamwork while abroad, and let us proudly raise the Indonesian flag there,” said the ITS Professor of Mechanical Engineering, encouraging the team ahead of the competition.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Ir Witantyo M.Sc.Eng., faculty advisor of the ITS Sapuangin Team, stated that this year’s competition would serve as an important opportunity for the team to prove its capabilities after its participation was postponed the previous year. He explained that the latest formula car was strategically engineered to overcome engine capacity limitations by maximizing agility and maneuverability on the track.
According to the ITS Department of Mechanical Engineering lecturer, competing in Japan presents a formidable challenge, as many rival teams receive direct support from major automotive manufacturers. Moreover, the ITS team will compete with a 250 cc engine, which is relatively small for its class.
“However, since the Formula Student circuit features numerous technical turns, we aim to compensate for our acceleration limitations by designing the vehicle to be as agile and responsive as possible on the track,” explained the ITS automotive expert optimistically. ITS Rector Prof Dr Ir Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD delivers his remarks during the launch and send-off ceremony for the ITS Sapuangin Team ahead of Formula SAE Japan 2026.
With full institutional support and continuous guidance from its advisors, the launch of the latest Sapuangin formula car has drawn considerable attention due to major changes in its exterior architecture and design geometry. These improvements were strategically developed to tackle the demanding characteristics of Japanese racing circuits, which are known for their highly technical and challenging corners.
The strategic research behind this eighth-generation vehicle was developed through an extensive evaluation of the team’s previous formula car performance. The launch of Sapuangin Speed 8 marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time since 2019 that the ITS Sapuangin Team returns to compete at Formula SAE Japan.
ITS Sapuangin Team General Manager Chandra Iksan Suryana acknowledged that the team faces a major challenge in competing against international teams with significantly greater experience. “However, our team sees this as a golden opportunity to demonstrate the strength and resilience of automotive research and innovation developed by ITS students,” he affirmed.
Chandra further explained that one of the most significant changes to the latest formula car is a comprehensive redesign of its aerodynamic devices, featuring newly developed front and rear wings. Visually, these upgrades represent the most striking differences compared with the previous generation.
Beyond the exterior improvements, the research team completely redesigned the chassis construction from the ground up, adopted a different engine configuration, and recalibrated the vehicle’s suspension geometry to ensure greater technical readiness and optimized performance for the competition.
All advanced specifications incorporated into Sapuangin Speed 8 are the result of collaborative research and engineering by the team, supported by strategic input from the ITS Sapuangin alumni network. Weight reduction was achieved through the application of advanced carbon-fiber composite materials to the vehicle body, while its aerodynamic design was engineered to generate effective downforce, enabling more agile and responsive handling on the circuit.
The development of this high-performance and environmentally conscious automotive innovation further reinforces ITS’s commitment to supporting the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This student-led innovation actively contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education* by providing hands-on applied research opportunities, as well as *SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure* through the advancement of Indonesia’s automotive technology and engineering capabilities (ITS Public Relations).
Reporter: Dinda Fithriyyah