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]

In addition to the hybrid, an all-electric model is also being developed. A drivable prototype should be ready by September.

In addition to performance and economy, Hybrid Technologies is working hard to ensure the new supercar will be comfortable and driver-friendly. Movable aerodynamic aids will be capable of transitioning from low-drag to high-down force, improving both handling and economy. The company wouldn't release specific power numbers, but when asked if they could challenge a vehicle like the Corvette, Cerven responded, "way out of the ballpark—it's gonna be wild."

By now, you're probably thinking that this all sounds too good to be true. Trust us, we are too. With vehicles like the Fisker Karma and Tesla roadster topping out at 120 and 130mph respectively, Hybrid Technologies would need to bring a significant level of innovation to this vehicle in order to compete with gasoline-powered supercars. Expect to find out whether or not all this is hot air during the X Prize competition "some time in 2009." [via Popular Mechanics]

Motive believes that the transportation sector needs to undergo a rapid evolutionary change in order to maintain current standards of living while reducing our energy needs dramatically. In order to achieve this, a shift is required toward low volume high-tech manufacturing techniques. This will enable us rapid evolution of individualized vehicles that use a fraction of the energy required by today's automobiles and public transportation vehicles. The Automotive X-Prize will help to push the boundaries of what is perceived not only as possible, but also as probable. Motive's intent in entering the X-Prize is to demonstrate our capabilities in the fields of automotive design and engineering. Motive believes in the need for innovation and sustainability and is thus committed to developing and using ecologically sensitive materials and manufacturing methods.

The 2 initial renders below depict our BEHEV - Battery Exchange Hybrid Electric Vehicle that combines the appeal of a sports car with everyday versatility. The sporty 2+2 shooting brake is framed within a layered structure giving it muscular forms and proportions. Keep an eye on Motive for future developments.

* Four passenger, full size vehicle
* BEHEV tm - Battery Exchange Hybrid Electric Vehicle
* Modular composite/aluminium/steel chassis structure
* Lightweight bio-composite RIM body panels
* FWD multi-speed quickshift transaxle
* Regenerative braking, traction control
* High-performance ICE generator
* 1800lbs

[Source; Motive Industries]

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.

Automotive X PRIZE to Showcase Innovation at 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit

WHAT/ The Automotive X PRIZE, an international, multi-million dollar competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles, has announced plans to participate in this year's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) during its Press Preview and Industry Days, January 13-18. The independent and technology-neutral Automotive X PRIZE competition is open to teams from around the world who can design, build and bring to market 100 MPG equivalent vehicles that people want to buy, and that meet market needs for price, size, capability, safety and performance.

Once the competition officially launches - in early 2008 - a thorough qualification process will assess safety, cost, features and business plans to ensure that only production-capable, real cars compete. Those who qualify will race their vehicles in rigorous cross-country stage races that combine speed, distance, urban driving and overall performance. To date, more than 50 teams from seven countries have signed a Letter of Intent—including Tesla, Visionary Vehicles, Aptera, ZAP, Loremo and Cornell University— to compete for a share of the multi-million dollar prize purse and global publicity.

Several teams will join Automotive X PRIZE in their booth at this year's NAIAS. The Automotive X PRIZE stage races are expected to travel through multiple cities from coast to coast in 2009 and 2010. Winning vehicles will be those that finish in the fastest time while achieving at least 100 MPG equivalent fuel economy and strict emissions caps.

WHO: Don Foley, Automotive X PRIZE Executive Director Neal Anderson, Cristin Lindsay and John Shore, Automotive X PRIZE Senior Directors Gale Banks, President, Gale Banks Engineering and Automotive X PRIZE Advisor Letter of Intent Team Members, to be announced shortly. NOTE: A detailed listing of Letter of Intent team members and other show attendees will be released by AXP in the coming weeks.

ABOUT THE AUTOMOTIVE X PRIZE: The Automotive X PRIZE is a project of the X PRIZE Foundation, which creates and manages prizes that drive innovators to solve the world's greatest challenges. The X PRIZE Foundation first captured world headlines in 2004, when Mojave Aerospace Ventures, led by legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan and Microsoft Co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the world's first private vehicle to space twice in two weeks to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE. The Automotive X PRIZE is being designed with the generous help of world-class experts, advisors and organizations who represent a broad and diverse group of interests and share the organization's concerns and goals. For more detail, see our advisors, supporters, and blog at http://auto.xprize.org.

CONTENDERS To date, more than 50 teams representing 7 countries have signed letters of intent to compete. The list includes established carmakers (Tesla, Visionary Vehicles), universities (Cornell University) Michigan-based contenders (Michigan Vision), entrepreneurs and established engineers. AirShip Technologies Group, Lake Oswego, OR ° Alpha-Core/Poulsen Hybrid, Bridgeport, CT* ° Aptera Motors, Carlsbad California ° Avion Car Company, Bellingham WA ° Brilliant Automotive, Fairfield, IA ° Commuter Cars Corp, Spokane, WA ° Cornell University, Ithaca, NY ° DEHyds, Tenino, WA ° Delta Motorsport, Northamptonshire, UK °

Desert Fuel, Phoenix,AZ ° Disruptech, Newhall, CA ° Team Dragonfly, Northampton, UK ° Electric Truck Inc, Greenwich, CT ° Energy Highway, Pleasanton, CA ° FuelVapor Technologies, Maple Ridge, BC ° GreenIt!, Portland, OR ° HerfDuo, Berlin, Germany ° HyKinesys, Rolling Hills Estate,CA ° ICEwave,

Terre Haute, IN ° Illuminati, Virden, IL ° Kinetic Vehicles, Creswell, OR ° Kuttner Doran Innovations, Charlottesville, VA* ° Loremo, Munich, Germany ° Lydell Industries, Frewsburg, NY ° Maine Automotive X, Camden, ME ° MDI, Inc. and Zero Pollution Motors, LLC, New Paltz, NY* ° Michigan Vision, Ann Arbor, MI * ° Motive Industries, Calgary, Alberta, Canada ° MotoTron Disrupt, Oshkosh, WI ° West Philly Hybrid X Team, Philadelphia PA ° Phoenix Motorcars, Ontario, CA* ° Physics Lab of Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu, AZ* ° Porteon Electric Vehicles, Inc., Portland, OR ° Prometheus Systems, Flagstaff, AZ ° Psycho-Active, Moore, SC* ° RaceAbout Association, Helsinki Finland ° Red Light Racing (RLR), Callaway, MA ° Kernel™-AXP, Beverly Hills CA ° Spirit One, Alberta CA ° T3 Motion, Costa Mesa CA ° Team Global-E, Mandeville, LA ° Tilting Vehicle Australia, Kilburn, Australia* ° TriTrack,Austin, TX ° Team Twike IV, Germany ° Tesla Motors, San Carlos, CA ° Valentin Technologies, Elm Grove, WI* ° Velozzi, Beverly Hills CA* ° Visionary Vehicle, NY, NY* ° X Tracer Team Switzerland, Winterthur, Switzerland ° ZAP, Santa Rosa, CA *teams marked with an asterisk will be available to the media during the Detroit Auto Show.
[Source: X-PRIZE]