Gauge Newsletter January 2020 | Page 21

Vega is a twin-seater with a sleek aerodynamic look and a space frame design. Head of Styling of the Vega project – Mr. Dhash Gunaratne has come up with the exterior model after being inspired by a Sri Lankan Kandyan dancer. That’s how the car has gained its sophisticated, rich and strong look! With all the components to power this high-performance supercar, including the Lithium-ion batteries, Vega only weighs 1400kg. The carbon fiber used in the body has contributed towards maintaining the surprisingly low weight. This Sri Lankan supercar also comprises many more features such as automatic pedestrian detection, traffic sign detection and path planning, low power consumption and autonomous navigation which uses advanced Artificial Intelligence-based software and hardware which optimizes the performance of this supercar and its powerful drive time. The Vega team had identified that the bigger challenge is bringing the Vega to market, with the limited resources and key components in Sri Lanka. But the challenge is overcome now and the Vega will be at the Geneva Motor Show 2020. The Project Manager of Vega and the Director of Vega Innovations Mr. Beshan Kulapala says that what the team hopes to get out of this is the motivation for the younger generation and the Sri Lankans so that they will believe that anything complex can be done here and they will not have to get out of Sri Lanka to get inspired! When the Vega team started off with just the concept and zero experience in building a car in Sri Lanka, the typical mindset of Sri Lankans was kicked out then and there. “ This is too big of a task for a country like ours ”, “ Supercars are for the US and Britain ! ” The Vega team was out of the box then. And has proved that nothing is impossible with sufficient faith, teamwork and passion! Vega ignited the hope of faith so that we Sri Lankans would try out our own innovations to build a better country and be world-class in what we do! References 1. Vega EVX May Become Sri Lanka’s First Electric Supercar [Available at: https://insideevs.com/ news/390424/vega-evx-sri-lankas-first-ev/] 2. Sri Lanka’s Vega is a 900 hp all-electric supercar [Available at: https://www.slashgear.com/sri-lankasvega-is-a-900-hp-all-electric-supercar-17369394/] 3. This ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ electric luxury supercar is a 900 bhp powerhouse [Available at: https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/this-made-in-srilanka-electric-luxury-supercar-is-a-900-bhp-powerhouse-41576560338779. html] 4. Meet Vega, Sri Lanka’s all-electric supercar [Available at: http://www.bbc. com/autos/story/20150211-meet-vega-sri-lankas-900-horsepower-supercar] 5. Vega Innovations [Available at: http://www.vega.lk/] Nithya Kularatne, Third Year –Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. GAUGE Magazine University of Peradeniya Page 19