Automotive X-Prize update: shakedown round (track test videos)

[NeilBlanchard]

The FVT eVaro has passed the accident avoidance maneuver without drama -- at 48mph! If you are Facebook, you can see the video:

Videos Posted by Future Vehicle Technologies: May 6, 2010 8:34am | Facebook

This has been an amazing week starting with the 4000 kms trek to Michigan International Speedway all the way through tech inspection and finally the performance tests. We have toppled many hurdles. Who would believe that it was only weeks ago that we suffered a brutal fire! The FVT team is unstoppable and will continue development for the return to MIS in June for the Knockout Round. Attached is the eVaro performing the accident avoidance test. We were required to do the test @45mph and were able to go almost 48mph Stay tuned everyone!

Hopefully they make the video available to the general public. They also passed the other tests...

[NeilBlanchard]

Much more news and details about the FVT eVaro -- more bumps and snags, seems to be par for the X-Prize competition:

Automotive X-Prize: FVT eVaro series hybrid needs to go just a teeny bit faster — Autoblog Green

[Big Dave]

Once again we see - it is a lot tougher to design and build a car than people think.

Like it or not, the Aptera is a 2f1r tricycle. A Can-Am Spyder with nice bodywork. What you saw is typical for that kind of vehicle (but not the door flying open). Now you see why nobody makes cars like that.

[Mustang Dave]

Where's Doug Pelmear with his 100+ MPG Mustang?

[NeilBlanchard]

Dave, the door flew open because the driver's knee hit the release switch (apparently), and they will be adjusting the design so that can't happen. Take a look at the FVT eVaro cruising through with no drama. Aptera is now working with Pratt & Miller racing, so they will solve the suspension problem, I have no doubt.

After that, we'll see how much they let the efficiency slip...

That Mustang was only able to claim that MPG by using E85 and ignoring the alcohol...

[cfg83]

Neil -

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Dave, the door flew open because the driver's knee hit the release switch (apparently), and they will be adjusting the design so that can't happen. Take a look at the FVT eVaro cruising through with no drama. Aptera is now working with Pratt & Miller racing, so they will solve the suspension problem, I have no doubt.

After that, we'll see how much they let the efficiency slip...

That Mustang was only able to claim that MPG by using E85 and ignoring the alcohol...

That's good to know.

CarloSW2

[The Toecutter]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

That is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen! It's clear that it's an aerodynamic shape, but there's more to car design than that.

I would love one painted black, with a silver cross painted on the hood, a skull up front as a hood ornament, very dark tinted windows, red velvet interior, silver colored spinning rims...

It is soooo ugly that it would look wicked if it looked like a coffin! The rear end is my favorite part of it.

[Bicycle Bob]

When Road and Track tested the Trihawk, it did the slalom faster than a Porsche 924, despite the extra width, and was their fith-fastest ever on the skid pad.

[bgd73]

is there anything resembling reality?

100mpg, great. At what weight?
if its the 500 pound bodies and drivers being the second most dense part of it, how is this good?

say 100mpg at 1500 pounds,
thats 3000 pounds at 50mpg
6000 pounds at 25. humanity has been there for a 100 years.

I've got 3000 pounds at 40s mpg. Why don't I show up for this xprize, maybe hang out with the golf biodiesel.
the drop the bomb of ten gears dual range, and a lockup diff.. Oh My God. It is genius...

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's another video of the FVT eVaro running the accident avoidance chicane at 48.34mph:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpavQJ52EAc

There is a loud diesel truck revving in the background, which overwhelms the near silent eVaro, unfortunately.