A statement from the university said the solar car built by the Flinders Automotive Solar Team would be taken to Coober Pedy for the five-day testing stage which begins on 27 September.

The solar car is called Investigator Mark III and was designed and built by student and staff volunteers. It will compete in the Cruiser Class which is for practical designs that can meet existing road rules and seat at least two.

The car can achieve speeds of more than 100kmph, and has a solar capacity of 900 watts with 2880 solar cells.

Team director Stuart Wildy says the FAST car was designed to resemble what people could one day be driving on Australian roads. But it had been modified to travel up to 1200 kilometres without having to recharge and has an increased battery size and what are claimed to be substantial engineering improvements.

A front view of the Investigator Mark III. Supplied

“We switched from dual hub motors to a more efficient single inboard motor in 2019, with the aim of reaching speeds up to 100km/h on outback roads without having to stop and recharge," he said.

"It has comfortable seating, an actual windscreen, conventional doors and the ability to charge at a standard AC charging station."

Fifty-three teams from 24 countries will take part in the challenge.