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
Very cool, however, until they can design a vehicle that fits a couple of kids, a Golden Retriever, and a weeks worth of groceries, these type of cars will be only for the neighborhood eccentric!
this is a cool car if everyone had this car it would help the earth 120 percent yay i wish i had this car
I AM SO SEXY BECUZ I HAVE THIS CAR NOW SO I AM WAY COOLER THAN ANYONE ELSE THEY ARE VERY SMALL THOUGH SO IT SUCKS I WANT ONE THAT CAN CARRY 2 BORDER COLLIES
id love one of these, BUT i reckon you could still improve it what size engine is it?, and how much power do those video screens need off the alternator?, a 150cc v-twin (300cc v4?) diesel would be good with a cvt transmision.
i think a hybrid version would be good, regenerative braking when going down hills and then using the motor on half the time…good milage, cover it in solar panels and omg its expensive but…you know:)
It sounds to good to be true, I dont think it will ever be mass produced, Know why? Big oil will not permit it , Money talks in this world….
I dont think these type of autos will ever be mass produced, Big oil will never allow it to happen.
Money talks in this world, Big oil have deep pockets.
You ever notice how great concept cars never hit the road for production?
Great concept. Just as with any engineering effort, there are many trade-offs, especially for something highly optimized for a narrow application.
For most users, fuel economy is not the primary priority. Seating capacity, cargo capacity, cost, and safety would be higher priorities for most people. I would certainly sacrifice substantial efficiency to keep my kids safe.
I wonder if they could do a “sandwich” crash test for these cars? How about a T-bone crash at 50 mph/80 kph? With so many light weight cars popping up, a strong side wind on icy roads would also be an interesting test.
if you replaced the cylinders in a car with magnets one with constant polarity and one with a changing polarity(dedicated chip) and with a dedicated Generator for ea magnet or set of magnets would produce enough force for attraction and repulsion.Unlike a gas which only uses the explosion for force.Two way force i call it.This way more than one cylinder can be attracting or repulsing at the same time!The engine does not have to be metal and there is no need for a cooling system,So no radiator as well.The weight cut is tremendous.I cant see why this would not work!!Bob Conner
Any given car will get its highest possible fuel efficiency by driving it at around 85 Km/hour without ever braking. Driven in such a manner,It will even beat the best hybrid in its class. So we need only capture the energy lost in braking with a generator-motor and a device more efficient and lighter than a bulky battery- a capacitor that will re-accelerate it to cruising speed after each braking. We need not store energy as much as a battery does with just 30% efficiency.