The Automotive XPrize, sponsored by Progressive, has long been the ultimate goal of automobile designers. This $ 5 million prize is for creating a automobile that gets 100 miles per gallon. Car trials in Michigan are at the moment going, and there are two different cars that may well will the prize.
The details of the Automotive X Prize
The XPrize foundation supports a number of prizes, including the Automotive XPrize. Sponsored by Progressive auto insurance, the Automotive X prize was announced in 2008. EPA mileage estimates are the basis of the competition. The primary X Prize is awarded to a four-passenger automobile. The autos competing for the Automotive XPrize do not have to be ready for production, they just have to prove the concept is workable.
The competition for Automotive X Prize money
The 2010 Automotive X Prize competition began in Michigan on April 26. The 3 classes of vehicles are put through their paces. Some tests are designed to be very comparable to city driving. The competition is also set up to emulate highway driving. The target is 110 miles per gallon, though to receive the XPrize a team only has to get 100 mpg. There needs to be certain safety and performance thresholds met as well.
Ingenuity on display at XPrize races
Last-minute ingenuity is needed to win the Automotive X Prize. One of the requirements of the vehicles is that the passenger cabin remains below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The 95-degree temperatures in Michigan made that difficult, so a few teams are using ice and homemade air conditioning units to keep things cool. Techniques designed to help make fuel going even further with driving techniques are also making an appearance.
The possibility of winning the XPrize
There are two vehicles that are nevertheless within the running for the Automotive XPrize. Both will be taken out of the public eye and put through a wide variety of safety tests. The award will be given to whichever vehicle passes these tests.
No comments:
Post a Comment