Cornell Takes 100-MPG Prototype To NY State Fair

Cornell University is taking the wraps off of its 100-mpg hybrid entry into the Progressive Automobile X-Prize competition. The Cornell team will show off a prototype of its vehicle, fashioned from a modified 1993 Geo Metro at the upcoming 2008 New York State Fair in Syracuse. The Metro is just a test mule for the technology that will power the team's actual entry.

The team expects to be able to get to work on manufacturing their entry's final design in 2009. The main event is not scheduled to take place until 2010, but 61 teams from around the world. most with commercial sponsorship, are working feverishly on their entries for the mainstream competition in search of the contest's $10 million prize.

The contest rules require mainstream-class entries to be commercially viable, seat at least four passengers, meet certain emissions standards, have at least 10 cu-ft of cargo space, accelerate to 60 mph in 12 seconds or less, and travel 200 miles between recharges and//or refueling. The Cornell entry will be a plug-in hybrid electric that will travel 40-50 miles on its batteries alone. The battery can recharge while the car is moving and, like most hybrids, uses regenerative braking to recapture some of the energy lost when the car is slowed or stopped.

Right now, the team is working on improving the efficiency of the drive train, the aerodynamics of the final design, and reducing the vehicle's overall weight. More than 70 students are part of the team and come from a number of engineering and non-engineering disciplines.

Source: Cornell University