Hyperion crosses the finish line in Adelaide on the last day

Ziarul Făclia reports, citing UTCN, that the Solis UTCN solar vehicle crossed the finish line in Adelaide, representing Romania at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025. In the university's words, Hyperion, the best-performing solar prototype its students have built, crossed the Australian desert in extreme weather and reached the finish on the last day of the race, despite strong winds.

“Hyperion, the best-performing solar vehicle prototype our students have ever built, crossed the Australian desert in extreme weather and crossed the finish line on the last day of the competition, despite the challenges brought by strong winds”

UTCN representatives

UTCN congratulated the team on its race and on putting Romania on the world map of green mobility once again. After the race, Făclia writes, the vehicle was prepared for display in Victoria Square and paraded through the streets of Adelaide, in a ceremony celebrating courage, perseverance and team spirit.

Crossing the finish line in Adelaide is not the same as completing the route on solar power. The official results put Solis 18th of 26 in the Challenger class, with Port Augusta, about 2,700 km from Darwin, the last control stop reached. According to team manager Eric Lefter-Gabriel, a gust blew the vehicle off the road on the final day; the team then took it to Adelaide by truck and crossed the line there.