One ''Mainstream'' Car Left in the X Prize finals

[Guest]

Edison2 aims to create a car that does way more for way less.

One ''Mainstream'' Car Left in the X Prize finals : Read more

 

[danwat1234]

Ah man! What happened to Aptera? Was it because their suspension was too soft and they couldn't perform well in the corners?

 

[rohitbaran]

Well, that may have a 250cc engine, but it looks like a racing monster.

 

[hardcore_gamer]

when I first saw the picture I thought that its powered by some kinda state of the art fuel cells

 

[silentq]

that is one ugly motherf.... helicopter cockpit = pussy magnet ftw!

 

[maydaynomore]

Wow, that thing is so ugly!!!

 

[fritter87]

now lets see it pass safety standards

 

[prisonerofcs]

Aptera is still in it, they just compete in the "alternative" class. Not sure what the different is between the classes.

 

[Shadow703793]

[citation][nom]fritter87[/nom]now lets see it pass safety standards[/citation]
No reason why it shouldn't assuming the "lightweight durable materials" is Carbon fiber or similar material.

 

[bounty]

Edison on Edison, sure.....

Very lighyt weight Edison vs. Hummer, hmmmmmm. I don't think they've found a "safe" way to make a car go from 40 to -39 in under 1 second yet.

 

[tntom]

I just found out last week that they are based near-by me in Lynchburg, VA. Pretty cool. The owner of Edison also just bought the local skating rink in Charlolltesville, VA to keep it from closing down.

 

[TwoDigital]

Why bother with E85 at all? Yes.. it has less emissions when you burn it but far more toxic material is generated CREATING it... not to mention that it's more expensive to manufacture traditional gasoline. E85 would be the most expensive gas at the station if the US Government didn't "pay" the first $.53 of every gallon out of our tax money.

Solar-powered please. Forget this corn-gas crap.

 

[lowmpg]

TwoDigital,

Solar-powered?!? Two words: energy density. Or two others: battery weight.

 

[TwoDigital]

True... my first answer would have been nuclear power, but I think they're going for "renewable" energy. I still argue that E85 is even worse than regular gasoline (and gets much worse mileage) but what other renewable could they use in a moving vehicle?

 

[prisonerofcs]

Cars like this make much more sense in Europe where even commercial vehicles are smaller. Here in Florida we have lifted trucks driving down the road, bumpers 3 or more feet off the ground (semi's are required to be only 18"), 33" wheels and stock brakes. It scares me to death sometimes and I drive a mustang (Europeans would consider it large). Imagine an aptera hitting a lifted F350. The F350 might not even notice!

 

[Guest]

They use E85 primarily for the higher octane value in using a very small displacment motor with a forced induction application. This enables them to run higher intake pressures vs top grade gasoline.

 

[eddieroolz]

Tough requirements, man. I wish these guys the best.

 

[joebob2000]

[citation][nom]silentq[/nom]that is one ugly motherf.... helicopter cockpit = pussy magnet ftw![/citation]

bahahahahahahahahahah

 

[joebob2000]

[citation][nom]TwoDigital[/nom]Why bother with E85 at all? Yes.. it has less emissions when you burn it but far more toxic material is generated CREATING it... not to mention that it's more expensive to manufacture traditional gasoline. E85 would be the most expensive gas at the station if the US Government didn't "pay" the first $.53 of every gallon out of our tax money.Solar-powered please. Forget this corn-gas crap.[/citation]

What you all seemed to miss as you dissed E85, is Stipulation #5 which is a lot easier to hit when your fuel is carbon-neutral and it only costs you carbon for the harvesting/transporting of the fuel. Bonus points if the harvesters run off Ethanol too.

 

[Pei-chen]

I think it is possible to tweak Prius 3rd gen to pass all the requirements and still have a functional car. Off the shelf is usually better than custom built (OLPC vs. netbook)