GIST Student-Built
Vehicle Club G-BungE:
A Record of Passion
G-BungE is a GIST student club dedicated to designing and building electric off-road vehicles for competitions. The club operates through collaboration among teams responsible for the frame, electrical systems, and powertrain, allowing students to apply their academic knowledge to practical engineering challenges. From everyday scenes in the workshop and the moment the team completes a race to its next challenge of building an electric formula car, this article traces G-BungE’s passionate journey.
LOG 01.
The Beginning of G-BungE “A playground where the G in GIST meets the E in electric vehicles”
G-BungE is a GIST student club that has been designing and building E-Baja electric off-road vehicles. It began in October 2020 with the goal of having students build vehicles themselves and compete in actual events. The name combines “bungbungi,” an affectionate Korean nickname for a car, with the “G” from GIST. The “E” at the end signifies that the team builds only electric vehicles. The G-BungE workshop is filled with vehicle equipment and parts. Team members review designs at their desks, machine and assemble parts, and sometimes gather around the vehicle to hold meetings. The sounds of cutting and welding metal, along with tools constantly changing hands, make the workshop feel like G-BungE’s own playground.
LOG 02.
Design and Manufacturing Process
"Data becomes parts, and parts become a vehicle"
After a competition, the team spends two to three months reviewing the previous season’s vehicle, analyzing issues identified during actual driving and the competition. This process involves evaluating performance, structure, stability, and manufacturability to establish priorities and directions for improvement. The focus is not merely on building a faster car, but on designing one that can run reliably. The feedback collected in this way sets the direction and production standards for the next vehicle. Once the design is finalized, the basic frame is built according to the specified dimensions, and the body begins to take shape as the suspension, steering system, and brakes are assembled. For the electrical system, the battery pack and wiring are configured to provide stable power, and driving tests begin once the motor, controller, reduction gear, and chain drive are installed. The lines in the blueprints are transformed into a functioning vehicle through cutting, welding, assembly, wiring, and test drives.
LOG 03.
Team-Based Collaboration
“Frame, electrical, and powertrain systems come together as one vehicle.”
G-BungE completes a single vehicle with each team—frame, electrical, and powertrain—performing a distinct role. The frame team designs and builds the vehicle frame and suspension structure. The electrical team is responsible for the battery, circuits, and wiring system. The powertrain team handles the motor and drivetrain configuration, analysis of driving logs, and control parameter settings. Because each team’s work is closely interconnected, the members hold regular weekly meetings and frequently share progress.
LOG 04.
Vehicle Development Timeline
“From MK1 to MK5”
For the first vehicle, MK1, the priority was to produce a functioning vehicle in recognizable form. Built with a profile roll cage and a basic kart-style suspension system, MK1 ran for only about two minutes before coming to a stop. Brief though it was, that memorable experience inspired the team to build its next vehicle. Beginning with MK2, the team set out to build a vehicle capable of driving for 90 minutes on rough terrain, with the goal of participating in the BSK competition. After two years of effort, the team successfully entered its first competition and passed the vehicle inspection, confirming the vehicle’s safety and stability. In MK3, the team implemented key elements such as the HV battery, motor and controller, suspension, frame, and safety circuits. MK4 improved overall stability and incorporated an integrated powertrain unit, enabling the team to complete the BSK endurance race in its third year of competition. This year, the team is aiming for a podium finish with MK5 by focusing on weight reduction and optimizing the powertrain unit.
LOG 05.
At the Competition
“A 90-minute race that proves a year’s worth of work”
For G-BungE, the competition is the ultimate test of a year spent designing, building, and testing the vehicle. The team has participated in the Baja category of the KSAE Collegiate Auto Competition for three consecutive years, from MK2 to MK4. The endurance race, which lasts for 90 minutes, is the most grueling event, testing the vehicle’s performance and durability to the limit. Electric vehicles are at a disadvantage in off-road conditions and also carry a substantial weight penalty. Nevertheless, the team consistently improved its vehicle and achieved its first successful finish with MK4 last year. When the vehicle crossed the finish line, team members embraced and cheered. The journey was not smooth. During the preliminaries, one of the front tires was punctured, and during the autocross, the vehicle stopped when a main wiring connector on the motor controller came loose. Team members quickly repaired the tire and brought the vehicle back to the pits for repairs. They repeatedly brought the car back into running condition after each setback, and MK4 ultimately crossed the finish line. The moment became one of the most memorable achievements in G-BungE’s history.
LOG 06.
The Process of Growth
“A place where strong teamwork and practical engineering skills develop”
Although the core members of the team change every year, what remains constant is the sense of teamwork. Having colleagues working alongside us toward the goal of completing the vehicle is what bonds us together. Each team member takes responsibility for their own role and learns how to understand and coordinate their work with that of others. Team members apply the technical knowledge acquired in class to the actual construction of the vehicle. Through the process of planning, designing, building, and troubleshooting the project themselves, their knowledge transforms into hands-on engineering expertise.
LOG 07.
Sponsorship and the Next
Challenge “Strong support and a new generation of team members”
Building a student-built vehicle involves significant costs, making sponsorship another essential driving force. Financial support from GIST, the Department of Mechanical & Robotics Engineering, the Entrepreneurship Promotion Center, and faculty members, along with component support from companies such as JTEKT and access to simulation and analysis software including Ansys and Adams Car, has enabled the team to build higher-quality vehicles and pursue new challenges. This year, G-BungE will participate in the Baja off-road category for the final time. After aiming for an award with the more refined MK5, the team plans to move on to designing an electric formula car and competing in formula events. The new members who joined in March are undergoing basic training and will soon begin participating in the actual manufacturing process. Everything may seem unfamiliar at first, but after spending a year together, they will gain a strong sense of accomplishment and grow significantly as engineers and team members.