The Progressive Automotive X Team recently held a contest where they awarded $10 million to three teams of engineers with the best cars who could run on at least 100 mile per gallon. The winner of the mainstream class is called the Vary Light Car, weighing in at 830lbs, with abilities to accommodate 4 passengers, and it runs on 102 miles per gallon.
Li-Ion Motors Corp.'s Wave II came won in the "alternative side-by-side" category. this two passenger vehicle goes from 0 to 60 in 12 seconds and hits a top speed of 80 mph. In the contest, this new and exciting battery powered car was able to reach 187 miles per gallon.
The winner of the "alternative tandem class" was the E-Tracer, which ran on a whopping 205 miles per gallon. Instead of the regular car with 4 wheels, it almost looks like a motorcycle, with two wheels but engulfed by the res of the car around them.
In the end I feel that this push towards high milage will be extremely beneficial to society, but I do not think that the winners of the Progressive Automotive X Team's contest will sell. Their designs have wheels on the outside of the car, or others only have two wheels. It is a very good attempt for a new look and feel for the automotive industry but i don't think that society is ready for it.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703440604575495942389170202.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_LS_Autos_4
I agree. Many people take the design into consideration when purchasing a new vehicle, however, some only look at the mileage of their cars. Also, many people may not be willing to buy a vehicle just because it was the winner in a contest. Like you said, this was a good idea, but it probably won't be successful.
ReplyDelete