An engineer by training, Eric Chantriaux decided at the age of 30 to leave his executive position at a major French industrial group to devote himself to a passion he had previously pursued as an amateur: motor racing. Noticed by Citroën for his performance at the wheel of his four-wheel drive Visa 1000 Pistes, the young entrepreneur was quickly entrusted with the construction and official entry of the manufacturer’s cars in rallies. At the same time, Solution F began to diversify by manufacturing its own single-seater (a Formula Renault) and demonstrated a particular aptitude for developing engines such as the TU2-4 and XU9J4, which powered the 205 and 309 models marketed by Peugeot Sport for competition.
Although Solution F subsequently expanded into areas other than motor racing, this primary vocation remained the common thread running through its history. Even today, sporting programmes such as the Foenix H2 remain an extraordinary source of innovation and motivation for all the teams.
The move to new 2,000 m² premises has been accompanied by the acquisition of more powerful equipment, particularly in the field of engines, with the commissioning of two test benches. These new facilities are attracting major car manufacturers such as Renault, which has entrusted Solution F with the execution and analysis of a test program (chassis and engine) for the new Laguna V6, and SsangYong, which has commissioned the company to adapt its engine management system to special applications.
The company is also entrusted with highly specific projects, such as the production of light assault vehicles (VLA) and rapid response vehicles (VRI) for the Ministry of Defense. Finally, a new “high-performance suspension” department is created to manufacture shock absorbers for cars, motorcycles, and trucks.
After entering the Guinness Book of World Records with the first electric helicopter in 2011, Solution F truly diversified into aeronautics in 2013 with the development of an electric propulsion system for the E-Fan, an aircraft that would cross the English Channel in 2015. This project marked the beginning of a long collaboration with Airbus, during which the technical teams acquired rare expertise in the field of helicopter transmission boxes.
This new know-how attracted other players in the sector, such as Thales, for whom Solution F developed an electric propulsion concept to power the Stratobus, a balloon used for telecommunications and observation missions at an altitude of 20 km. Later, it was the turn of the start-up VoltAero to call on Solution F’s expertise to design a small hybrid aircraft combining electric and thermal engines.
In 2019, TotalEnergies entrusted Solution F with the design and operation of a mobile hydrogen refueling station for the Mission H24 prototype. Led by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), this development program aims to create a hydrogen category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future. The expertise acquired in the handling and storage of hydrogen will come into its own in the summer of 2022 with the takeover of Solution F by the GCK group.
At the same time, the company has been entrusted with the design and manufacture of electric motors capable of powering all the vehicles in the GCK Mobility catalog (utility vehicles, coaches, trucks, boats, snow groomers).
Solution F’s design office also takes on complete projects, from simulation and design to detailed studies, both in the field of engines and for chassis or general mechanical projects.
Unveiled at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, Solution F’s Foenix H2 is one of the world’s first competition GT cars powered by a hydrogen combustion engine.
On Saturday, June 15, 2024, the Foenix H2, the French GT car equipped with a hydrogen combustion V8 engine, designed, manufactured, and developed by Solution F, shone during a historic test drive in front of the audience at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, illustrating the full potential of this new technology.
The Foenix H2 is the perfect illustration of Solution F’s expertise: a sophisticated GT chassis and expertise in hydrogen combustion engines.
It represents a real alternative to current GTs thanks to its operating costs, recognized reliability, and ease of handling.
