Jalopnik: progressive automotive x prize

Progressive Automotive X Prize Mustang Claims 400 HP, 110 MPG; We Claim Baloney

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:20:00 EDT

Doug Pelmear is claiming his '87 Stang is good for 400 HP and a 3 second 0-60 MPH time, all while returning a 110 MPGe figure. MPGe? Yeah, that's miles per gallon equivalent; because he's using E85 ethanol, that figure might be about 80 real miles per gasoline gallon. So, is Doug one of those garage tinkerers who managed to create a magnetized fuel line or a super-efficient set of exhaust bearings which promise an amazing 100 MPG, but whose patent hasn't gone through yet, or it was destroyed in a fire, or the dog ate it? Well, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

First, 80 MPG for a Fox-body Mustang is like 300 MPG for a Geo Metro. We haven't taken the effort to run the equations, but we're pretty sure there just isn't that much energy in a gallon to begin with, much less all of the losses from various frictions and combustion inefficiencies.

The car is to be entered in the Progressive Automotive X Prize challenge and if Doug's claims turn out to be valid, we plan on turning in our engineering card, that's all we're saying. Check out the video on YouTube and see what you think for yourselves. [Ecomodder]

McCain To Offer $300 Million Prize For Developing New Super Battery

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Presidential candidate John McCain (R-Old) is expected to unveil a new proposal today offering $300 million in prize money to the first automaker that can demonstrate significant improvements in battery technology. The targets to secure the prize include a 30% cost reduction, along with "substantial improvements" in size, capacity and technology. Additionally, McCain announced a "Clean Car Challenge," offering U.S. automakers a $5,000 tax credit for every zero-carbon-emissions car developed and sold. Apparently, McCain thinks the market's delivery on a 100-mile-per-charge battery won't be coming as he predicted without some helpful ~~handouts~~ incentives. Hmm, we've been flipping through Wealth of Nations for the past hour, and can't seem to find the page on contests, raffles and sweepstakes. Was that section before or after the chapter on the national progress of opulence? [Detroit News]

Progressive Automotive X Prize Officially Announced

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:45:00 EDT

Today in the Javits Center during the 2008 New York Auto Show, X Prize Foundation President Dr. Peter Diamandis, along with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, announced Progressive will be the corporate sponsor of the long stewing Automotive X prize. The Progressive Automotive X Prize will award $10 million to the winning team after a head-to-head competition scheduled to happen sometime in 2009. The entries must be safe, production capable, and deliver at least 100 mpg. The teams will compete in three different classes — a mainstream class for four wheel, four passenger entries, an Alternative class to push the boundaries of technology, and in 2011, a manufacturers prize for established companies.

The qualified entrants will compete for the giant wad of all-Progressive supplied cash in a variety of real world challenges in the categories of speed, distance, traffic, terrain, and weather. Everybody and his brother is in on this one — The US House and Senate have already approved NTSB, DOT, DOE backing with the DOE tossing $3.5 million in grant money into the fold for education of youth and consumers.; The Sierra Club and NRDC support grassroots efforts; Individuals like Al Gore, Dean Kamen (who will be entering and sits on the Automotive X Prize Board), the Governator, and many more are putting their voices behind the effort.

There are already 64 pledged entrants from 22 countries and 10 US states from private, college, and even high school groups. Four examples of which were present at the show, The Venture 1, the first look at the MDI Air Car, a Ale from France, and the "Hybrid Attack" - a diesel electric hybrid built by a team from the West Philly High School. The applications will begin being accepted starting in two months, so if you want a shot at 10 million bucks, you better start filling out the paperwork now. Find out all the nitty gritty details at ProgressiveXPrize.org.