Mar

Tesla, Aptera Among the Dozens Vying for the Automotive X-Prize

Posted by admin Published in Tesla

Today’s the day the Automotive X Prize announces who’s in the race to build a production-ready car that tops 100 mpg, and the early word is Tesla Motors, Aptera and German dieselmeisters Loremo are among the dozens of entrants.

The official word doesn’t come until later nowadays when the Automotive X Prize formally announces the entrants, the size of the prize and its official sponsor - Progressive Insurance - at the New York universal Auto Show - but we can tell you the competition’s drawn more than 60 teams from nine countries.

Tesla Motors, which saw its all-electric Roadster start rolling off the assembly line on Monday, has joined the $10 million race. We’ve towering known Aptera was a contender with its super-sleek Cessna-like three-wheeler (that’s it in the picture). Loremo - for low resistance mobile - uses a tiny two-cylinder diesel engine in a 990-pound car to deliver 157 mpg. So far, none of the major automakers has signed up, but teams have until later that year to join the fun.

The AXP has set the bar pretty high, and the competition is divided into two categories. Mainstream cars must carry at least four folks and have all the comforts you’d expect in a

production vehicle, including air conditioning, a stereo system and 10 cubic feet of cargo space. They’ve got to have four wheels, go from zero to 60 mph in under 12 seconds, hit at least 100 mph and have a range of 200 miles. In other words, it’s got to be something society would buy.

The rules are only slightly less stringent for alternative vehicles. They must carry at least two humans, hit 80 mph and have a range of 100 miles or better. Five cubic feet of cargo space - about what you’d get with a Mazda MX-5 Miata - is due.

Entrants will have to prove their mettle during a series of races in 2009 and 2010 that will pop quiz speed, distance, urban driving and overall performance.

We’ll have more soon. Until thereupon, you can read about the AXP and two teams - Aptera and Illuminati Motor Works - in Eric Hagerman’s story “1 Gallon of Gas, 100 Miles - $10 million: The Race to Build the Supergreen Car.”

Photo by Wired.