X-Prize: $10M USD for 100 MPH, 100 MPG car

[Blind_Io]

http://www.canyon-news.com/artman2/p...icient_Car.php

BEVERLY HILLS—The X Prize Foundation and Progressive Insurance are offering $10 million to the teams that successfully develop vehicles able to get 100 miles per gallon. More than 60 groups from around the world plan to compete for a share of the prize as well as global publicity. The X PRIZE Foundation was established in 1994 by Dr. Peter H. Diamandis. It is Diamandis’s belief that intelligent and talented teams in pursuit of a prize and acclaim can change the world. In 2004, The X Prize Foundation and the Ansari family awarded their first $10 million prize to Mojave Aerospace Ventures for the flight of SpaceShipOne. The winning team was the first to build and successfully launch a spacecraft capable of carrying three people 100 kilometers above earth, twice within two weeks.

"The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is a call to action to promote and inspire innovation," Dr. Diamandis said in a press release. "The environmentally friendly cars created as a result of this competition will affect everyone who drives in ways we can´t even imagine today.”
The vehicles will compete in two classes: mainstream and alternative. The mainstream class must have at least four passenger seats and four or more wheels, heat/air conditioner, audio system, a minimum top speed of 100 mph, and 10 cubic feet of cargo space. The alternative class is to serve as an outlet for innovative ideas and is less strict on the requirements. The alternative class must seat at least two passengers and have a minimum top speed of 80 mph. There is no wheel minimum requirement. Nor does it require any audio, heating, or air conditioning.
All vehicles will be required to have an enclosed cabin with a windshield and windows, windshield wipers and washers, seatbelts, rear and side view mirrors, lamps, lighting, brake lights, reflective devices, odometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, and sufficient ground clearance.
A local non-profit group has decided to put their ultra fuel-efficient sports utility vehicle up to the test. Society for Sustainable Mobility (SSM) in Beverly Hills has been working on a vehicle design that would allow consumers to choose to run their vehicle on electric/battery power or gasoline/diesel. “Our customers can go to a shop and have the power source modules exchanged in a couple of hours,” says SSM Chairman David W. Lee. “Imagine you can run your car in electric-only mode during the week and rent a diesel/gasoline power source module for a road trip during the weekend. No matter which fuels the market finally settled on, we will be ready.”

SSM has already been in talks with a private investment group about production. Whether they win the X Prize or not, SSM plans to initiate low-rate production for fleet operators starting in 2011.
Another local competitor is Velozzi Group of Beverly Hills. They have chosen to enter two vehicles in the contest, one in the mainstream category and one in the alternative. They will both be electric cars optimized to run on any fuel, which would achieve 100-200 mpg. They will be based on a classic sports car with a design inspired by Italian GTs.

Miles Electric Vehicles of Santa Monica has also joined in on the contest. They already have some electric vehicles available to the public, but their top speed is about 25 mph. However, the group at Miles is working on a new Sedan that promises to hit a top speed of 80+ mph that will drive for over 120 miles without a need to recharge.

The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Foundation will accept entry applications through the middle of 2008. Those that qualify will race their vehicles in cross-country stage races in major markets across the U.S beginning in 2009-2010. The winners will meet the 100 mpg requirement, meet strict emissions standards, and finish in the fastest time. New York will kick off the first race in September of 2009. The other race cities have yet to be announced.

I love the idea of the X-Prize. It helps small upstarts create something that could change the world. I'm sure James May would approve, since this is all about men in sheds.

[Wizegui]

The great thing about it is that it's not as if people are building fragile tin shells without any seats or a windshield. These are actually somewhat viable cars built for people by your everyday Joes.

[Quadrax]

There is a team located here in adelaide, south australia who are entering this. They are using our engine dyno to develop their engine package. It is quite a serious effort with a lot of money involved and very clever people doing the work. From what i have heard they are talking about 1-2 years development time.

They will be starting work in the next month or so. I can put up pictures and try to share any details if anyone cares.

[Karoug]

^

[MattD1zzl3]

Powerrrrrrrrrr!

[thedguy]

I'd love to get in on this, one of the many cars I want to build is something extremely fuel efficient just to see if I can pull it off.

[Night_Hawk]

I'd love to get in on this, one of the many cars I want to build is something extremely fuel efficient just to see if I can pull it off.

same idea here.

and it would run on plain old gasoline

[Aston Martin]

I'll give you $10m to develop a 100 gallon to the mile car... your time starts now.

[Crazyjeeper]

I'd probably use that Crower 6 stroke gas/steam engine.

[PelicanHazard]

So who's the automotive equivalent of Burt Rutan?

[MattD1zzl3]

RAH RAH RAH! AMERICA LEYLAND CAN DO THIS!

[fluke667]

WTF ??

Just use a normal VW Lupo 3L.

On its arrival in Perth the Lupo had already travelled 4,768.5 kms, using only 119.18 litres of fuel. This results in an incredible average fuel consumption of 2.5 litres/100kms, travelling at an average speed of 80.7km/h.

Link
2,5l/100km = 94 mpg

or what about 235mpg ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_1-litre_car

[STANDARD_911]

we have a vehicle at UNLV, in our engineering building that got 3470 mpg back in 1995. although it meets none of the specs (two passengers, audio system, etc).

[thedguy]

WTF ??

Just use a normal VW Lupo 3L.


Link
2,5l/100km = 94 mpg

or what about 235mpg ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_1-litre_car

No way in HELL I'm driving at 80km/h across Texas, they just finally did travelers some justice by upping the limit to 80MPh (whats that, 130kp/h?)

[Twerp128]

So I'll duct tape two scooters together, and then slap a canopy tent sitting on casters over the top, and throw in a pioneer radio and some twine for seat belts.

[vegasrebel29]

WTF ??

Just use a normal VW Lupo 3L.


Link
2,5l/100km = 94 mpg

or what about 235mpg ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_1-litre_car

That was an economy run.
The prize is given for this kind of economy in modern conditions.

[fluke667]

I'm just saying that a 100mpg+ car has been already invented. No need for a price.
I don't think the competition is about achieving 100mpg while driving 100mph with 2 people onboard and the aircon on full power.

[PelicanHazard]

^ No, it's not, but the rules are a bit stricter than just building a 100mph car that gets 100 mpg.

Some samples from the car requirements section of the rules:

All vehicles or products must be designed to achieve AXP energy and emissions requirements, i.e.:

• Fuel economy: at least 100 MPGe
• Total (wells-to-wheels) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions expressed as equivalent grams of C02 per mile: no more than 200 g/mi
• Criteria emissions: no worse than Tier II, bin 5
• GHG emissions from vehicle production: no worse than typical vehicles in production today
  ...
• Performance: 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 12 seconds, minimum top speed 100 mph, minimum range 200 miles, 60 - 0 MPH braking in no more than 170 feet, lateral acceleration (300-ft-dia skidpad) 0.70 g, 600 ft slalom (Motor Trend) speed 55 MPH, gradeability 55 MPH on a 7.5% grade, noise levels within drive-by standards (74 decibels max)

[thedguy]

^ No, it's not, but the rules are a bit stricter than just building a 100mph car that gets 100 mpg.

Some samples from the car requirements section of the rules:

All vehicles or products must be designed to achieve AXP energy and emissions requirements, i.e.:

• Fuel economy: at least 100 MPGe
• Total (wells-to-wheels) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions expressed as equivalent grams of C02 per mile: no more than 200 g/mi
• Criteria emissions: no worse than Tier II, bin 5
• GHG emissions from vehicle production: no worse than typical vehicles in production today
  ...
• Performance: 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 12 seconds, minimum top speed 100 mph, minimum range 200 miles, 60 - 0 MPH braking in no more than 170 feet, lateral acceleration (300-ft-dia skidpad) 0.70 g, 600 ft slalom (Motor Trend) speed 55 MPH, gradeability 55 MPH on a 7.5% grade, noise levels within drive-by standards (74 decibels max)

God damn I didn't realize they even gave performance requirements! I just knew they basically wanted a car that can seat 4 adults, and achieve 100mpg without requiring the drive to (significantly) change their driving style.

[vegasrebel29]

It also has to meet basic relevant US safety standards.

Really, I think it's entirely within reach, but the amount of carbon fiber and all sorts of other technical wizardry needed makes it less relevant. Mind you, that's my take - the entire point of the contest is usable economy.