Car uses jet fuel instead of regular unleaded
HOUGHTON -- It is no secret car companies are looking for ways to increase fuel efficiency for their new models. As experts team up to design the car of the future, students are putting their heads together to slow down gas consumption.
Ten students on Michigan Tech's Automotive Systems Enterprise Team, designed a lightweight, supermileage car.
There's not much space, there's not even a transmission. However, this lightweight car and similar models could be key in decreasing the demand for gas in the U.S. That's because their vehicle gets 457 miles per gallon.
The team entered the car in the Automotive Society of Engineers International Competition earlier this month. Their car placed 11th out of 20 teams from Italy, India, Canada and the U.S. The first place car got 3,100 miles to the gallon.
The Michigan Tech student design runs on 103 Octane, or jet fuel. The secret, students say, is to shut the engine off when the car approaches a stop sign or hill. Coasting doesn't consume fuel. It is also something the driver can do often.
"The figure is about 20 percent run engine, 80 percent not running engine," said Electrical Engineering student Alex Morozov. "So it's about a ratio of four to one; time running, time not running."
The car was built for mileage, not comfort. It doesn't have a suspension system, and the driver's legs dangle over the axle.
"You're so low to the ground compared to sitting up in a vehicle, where you can see," said Computer Engineer Justin Angelow. "You're basically right on the pavement, so it's difficult driving."
So, will this car replace your gas guzzler? Students say principles could be applied to the automobile industry. However, their car won't be on a lot any time soon.
The lawnmower engine max's out at 30 miles per hour. That could make for a long day of running errands.
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