The World’s Most Fuel Efficient Car: 285 MPG, Not A Hybrid
[UPDATE 9/15/09]: Volkswagen’s Diesel-Hybrid L1 Concept Gets 170 MPG, Available by 2013
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This is what a team of engineers can do when challenged to push the limits of fuel efficiency and technology. You may have already heard of VW’s 1-liter car, but take a closer look. It’s a sports-economy concept car produced a few years ago by VW engineers, to answer one big question: could they build a car that consumes less than 3 liters of fuel for every 100 km traveled?
It turns out they could, but they didn’t stop there. Instead, VW blew by that goal to create a car that uses only 1 liter of fuel for every 100 km. That’s 285 MPG.
- » See also: Teenage-Built Diesel Hybrid Does 0-60 in 4 Seconds, Soon to Break 100 MPG
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To accomplish such a feat, VW’s engineers had to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch. They knew that fuel efficiency depends on aerodynamics and weight, so they created a bullet-shaped, ultra-lightweight (640 lbs) carbon-fiber car powered by a new, completely redesigned diesel engine. To save more weight, they didn’t even paint it:
Proper aerodynamics were key to the low fuel consumption. VW engineers knew they needed a small frontal area. This led to its unusually narrow, bullet-shaped body where the passenger sits behind the driver. As well, the car features an aircraft-like canopy, enclosed rear wheels, special flat carbon-fibre front wheel covers, and an aerodynamic underpan. Even the side cooling air inlets only open when the engine needs cooling, and otherwise stay closed. . .the 1-Litre-Car has an amazingly low coefficient of drag of 0.16 (a typical car has a drag coefficient of approximately 0.30 ).
Everything in the car was made out of lightweight carbon-fiber or magnesium, gears were hollowed, and bolts were made from titanium. Like the electric Aptera Typ1 that I wrote about earlier, the VW 1L was designed without side mirrors (too much drag), instead relying on internal video screens to guide the driver. And also like the Aptera, safety was of particular concern:
Despite its small size and light weight, Volkswagen says the 1-Litre-Car is as safe as a GT sports car registered for racing. With the aid of computer crash simulations, the car was designed with built-in crash tubes, pressure sensors for airbag control, and front crumple zones. Its aluminum fuel tank is located in a protected area behind the passengers. As well, the 1-Litre-Car includes ABS and ESP (electronic stability program).
The existence of the VW 1-Liter car suggests the possibility of drastically reducing our vehicle fuel consumption without any major advances in technology. You probably won’t ever see the VW 1-Liter on the road, but don’t think something like this will never come to the market. You’ll see Aptera’s electric and plug-in hybrids within the next year, and they look like spaceships too.
Addendum: VW’s 1L car will be released in 2010!
More Posts on Green Car Technology:
Affordable Electric Cars Coming to US in 2009
Mercedes 40-MPG Diesel Hybrid: Cleanest SUV on the Planet
Tesla Motors Sues Fisker Automotive Over Electric Car Design
Aptera’s $26,000 Electric Car and 300 MPG Hybrid Coming Soon
Subaru STI: Is Diesel the Intersection of Power and Fuel Economy?
376.59 MPG Car Found In Museum (It Was Built In 1959)
Source:
CanadianDriver (Jun. 5, 2002): Feature: VW 1-Litre-Car
Volkswagen UK
Photo Credit: Canadian Driver
Barry, the article says “They knew that fuel efficiency depends on aerodynamics and weight, so they created a bullet-shaped, ultra-lightweight (640 lbs) carbon-fiber car powered by a new, completely redesigned diesel engine.”
what a car huh. i already have one.
nah, just kidding, i wish!!!!!!!!!
I hope the engineers who built this use their knowledge to improve the fuel efficiency of all current VW production cars
What’s the top speed of this car and how many secs it takes to reach 100km/h if it does go that far?
Will the U.S.A. be able to buy these cars any time soon? How much will they be and are there 2 seaters?
“…could they build a car that consumes less than 3 liters of fuel for every 100 km traveled?”
sorry i don’t have time to read through 55 comments; perhapsmy comment is a duplication. but…
other sites are saying 235 mpg as well, consistent with 62*3.785~235. the quote is to illustrate that, as reported even by this very article, the goal was not 100km/l… (clayton! you said so yourself!)
235mpg (100km/l) appears to be what was achieved…
of course, i am very late to the game here and perhaps nobody will read this ever again
…including me!
That is very incredible. I wish that I would have the opportunity to drive that fuel efficient car.
There are a lot of issues with these kinds of cars. It is easy to point out all the flaws, but the it that lightweight car can get almost 300 mpg, then normal cars should be getting at lest 70-100.
Everyone talks about the “real world” and that the car wouldn’t fare in a crash. In the real world most people don’t need to be driving SUVs. Not too mention that it is the design of the car, and not just how big and heavy it is that determines the damage in a wreck.
Engines can be much more efficent if tweaked. I used to have a 93 honda del sol 1.6L non VTEC. By removing the Power steering belt, and replacing the cat with a straght pipe. I was able to get 40MPG with the AC running, a full trunk, and passenger, while doing 80 MPH on a road trip. Car companies could easily make cars like this, but the management doesn’t believe that they will actually sell.
Why aren’t these cars being mass produced and sold all over the world? It would not hurt my feelings if the oil companies and big 3 went smooth out of business