While the rest of the world has to be content with 50 MPG hybrids at the top of the fuel economy food chain, students at BYU aren't taking that lying down. Actually they are, but only because their supermileage car doesn't have an upright seat.
The vehicle's low profile is just one of its efficiency-centric features. Its tiny lawnmower engine is another. Coupled with the vehicle's minuscule weight, at less than 100 pounds, the overall design of the vehicle allows it to reach an astounding 1,300 miles per gallon.
But that's not the end of the story, because hitting such an astronomically high fuel efficiency takes every trick in the book. The vehicle's tank, more of a vial really, only holds 20 grams of fuel. The engine is only engaged long enough to get the vehicle up to speed and is then shut off, allowing the car to coast along much of its designated test track. At the end of the run, the fuel remaining in the vial is measured and then the usage is extrapolated into traditional MPG.
It's all part of a rigorous challenge: the SAE Supermileage Competition, held in Michigan. And while 1,300 MPG would place BYU's vehicle atop the podium come awards time, it isn't even their most ambitious goal. Once the team has logged a successful qualifying run, they'll take aim at an even more impressive number: 2,000 MPG. And while it is by no means a production model, any car that can run that efficiently will undoubtedly make automotive waves that will extend far into the future. VIDEO
Via BYU