3 cars win 100 mpg race

The X-prize Foundation showcases and rewards cutting-edge innovations in fields that have the potential to benefit humanity.

The Automotive X-prize is for fuel efficiency. Sponsored by the Progressive insurance company and partially funded by the Department of Energy, it was given in three different vehicle classes. Regardless of the class, the cars had to be safe, "commercially viable" -- meaning only that they had to perform more-or-less like a regular cars -- and they had to get at least 100 miles per gallon or the equivalent.

The contest was launched in 2008. Beginning this summer, the 136 vehicles that entered -- representing 111 teams from around the world -- were winnowed down through a serious of tests. Besides fuel economy, cars were also tested for things like acceleration, braking, handling and maneuverability.


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truckman - 9/16/2010 5:13:24 PM

+1 Boost

I would like to see a race with vehicles that have a 5 star crash rating that have the ability to carry 5 adults, I give the participants credit for making this car achieve 102mpg, but I would never drive or buy this ultra small car, why not have a race with pick up trucks that have to carry 6 people and 1000. pounds of additional payload and see what the best can do? When I was in high school a friend of mine made a carb that would vaporise the gas, his brother would sit in the passenger seat holding a masonary jar of the cars fuel, they drove around for a long time with 1 L of fuel, he had offers to buy it too, very small offers, but it worked, he made the carb in metal work,I want to call him to see if he has sold it or maybe the gas companies have killed him?

veyron1001 - 9/16/2010 5:46:02 PM

+1 Boost

There is U-haul for a reason. You do not need a truck.

Joe_Limon - 9/16/2010 6:23:52 PM

+1 Boost

you do not need a sports bike either, or a sports car. Maybe we should all drive prius's? eff that. I dislike your thinking veyron1001

veyron1001 - 9/18/2010 1:07:31 AM

+1 Boost

A motorcycle makes plenty of sense. When do you need an extended cab full bed truck to drive to work or a sedan/van/suv to move 1 person? A 600SS can/will get better mpg than a prius. Buy a standard and get a luggage rack for a change of clothes or do you need the extra room for your weight?

t_bone - 9/16/2010 9:43:03 PM

+2 Boost

I actually don't understand how such a radical car could only get 102 mpg. Doesn't the diesel Jetta get close to 60mpg? Seems you could take one of those and work the weight, aero, and tire package to get it up to 100mpg.

Joe_Limon - 9/16/2010 10:27:25 PM

+1 Boost

They also tested for vehicle dynamics and such... so I think they pushed the heck out of these vehicles. And the Jetta on the harder to achieve EPA scale is only 40mpg (vs the more liberal European standard).

truckman - 9/20/2010 1:18:13 AM

+1 Boost

— veyron1001, If I lived in town I would drive a full size truck like the F-150 Raptor or the dodge Power Wagon, but since I commute 150km a day I drive a 2007 Civic, I would love to own both, there are times when I have to rent a truck to move my art around or when I want to go somewhere the civic is just too small. I like to be green too.