US firm builds 100mpg hybrid car

[Drover]

Originally Posted by gdude

Anderson start-up unveils 100-mpg hybrid | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star


I honestly thought that some European nation would be us to the punch but. I guess not


I look forward to its mass production.I just wish they could start production sooner than 2012

European nations did beat us to the punch, at least to unveiling 100mpg hybrid concepts. See: Frazer-Nash Namir, Italdesign Quaranta.

[JMadison]

Originally Posted by DDevil

I am not impressed by these claims of 50+ mpg on these hybrids/solar/other alternative fuel cars.
if they are really drive-able on our freeways, then why not start making them?
I am sure the govt will be more than willing to subsidize them to stop relying on foreign oil.
They all seem to be school/backyard projects to me.

I'm not impressed either. I legitimately coaxed 51 mpg out of a 1985 Chevy Sprint (later called Geo Metro) 15 years ago.

I just advanced the spark until it slightly pinged under full throttle, drove it a manner that was very fuel efficiency conscious. (Gentle acceleration, shift at lowest possible rpms, coast to stop, air conditioning only when needed, etc.)

50 mpg in a highway capable car has been here since at least then. So to my eyes a Prius, etc. is just plain over complicated and stupid.

The original Honda Insight was inpressive at 70 mpg though.

Anyway, it's long been doable if they really had wanted to.

Would be interesting if an engineering type could comment on just what the theoretical best possible mpg for a 4 passenger car at typical safe car weights is with say a cruise speed of 70 mph.

In any event, I know 51 mpg with conventional technology out of a 950cc 3 Cylinder Suzuki engine is doable with no special tricks, because I've done it.

The original Honda CRX was in that range too, if I recall correctly.

Granted, both are small cars. But the Sprint/Geo was comfortable, and on the interstate, felt little different from Firebirds and Camaros I'd owned.

[sholomar]

the problem is that there are regulations in place that apply to cars that add considerable expense to increase their safety. It also increases their weight which is why fuel efficiency really has not gone up at all on the low end. At best you can say that family sized SUVs and trucks have maybe gotten better, not really small cars due to the weight required for safety regulations. This is all well and good, but even the least safe automobiles are in my opinion safer and more comfortable than motorcycles.

Two.. stringent regulations against diesel fuel usage, which is a much more efficient fuel compared to regular gas. If Europe uses it widely, it can't be all bad, yet there is some stigma against it in the US.

Hybrids with 3 wheels that can be classified as 'motorcycles' and thus escape the firm hand of the US government's regulations can be quite a bit cheaper and more fuel efficient at the cost of safety.

I'm going back and forth over getting a motorcycle. Overall I don't see it saving me much, see a high risk/reward ratio in using one, and overall they are just not all that enjoyable unless temperatures and conditions are perfect... I think I'd like one but I think I like being able to close the windows and turn on the AC when it's hot, or use the heat when it's cold, more.

[TechGromit]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

The problem with these start-ups is they don't have a dealership network so you can only buy them and get them serviced where they're made.

Another issue it it takes a lot of funding for being a car to the marketplace. I believe any vehicle mass produced needs to pass the crash safety tests, so no only do you need to design your car to pass the crash safety tests, but you have to provide at least 5 cars the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to do there crash tests. Actually I believe they test crashes at different speeds as well, that would require even more cars to test with. It would take at least millions to develop a car and test it before you can make your first sale.

As for dealer network, if there is a demand for the vehicles, I believe there will be plenty of dealers willing to distribute and service them.

[GnomadAK]

I used to get over 50 mpg out of my old Escort diesel, the best I ever got was 58, the worst was 38, and that was a 1984 model. Too bad Ford refused to keep parts for it in the country, it tools 6 weeks to get a starter and I just couldn't live with that. But 50+ has been attainable for decades.