365MPG In a (Drumroll.....)

[doofer]

1959 Opel and it was accomplished way back in 1973! They seem to have forgotten this 'technology' somewhere..

http://www.race-cardrivers.com/Shell Opel.htm

It used 'Super-Heated Fuel' hence all the insulation on the engine, engine has to run very, very hot for the SHF to work. The chain-drive they used would also be pretty inefficient compared to some of the technology we could probably use today compared to the early 70's, I wonder what MPG it could do combined with today's light-weight stuff!

Edit - 376MPG not 365MPG in title, even though 365MPG is amazing!

 

[helpimcrap]

if true that thing should be restored and in a museum or something, not rusting away in someones front garden.

 

[.:MBK:.]

should be restored and the concepts explored and possibly implemented in concept/production cars

 

[.:MBK:.]

never know, to attain 370mpg it probably sacrificed a lot of performance

 

[Sone]

thats 376 to the us gallon

Isn't that over 450 imperial mpg?

 

[MumboJumbo]

The oil companies dont want this technology made because it would mean serious losses on their part therefore they do all they can to shut down any advancements in this area. Is rediculas really when we should be saving oil.

 

[jaykay]

Wow thats a long time ago.
The above is pretty true, if they did make this type of fuel then most oil companies would be screwed.

 

[Butters]

The oil companies dont want this technology made because it would mean serious losses on their part therefore they do all they can to shut down any advancements in this area. Is rediculas really when we should be saving oil.

I understand your thought process but surely the quicker we use up all the oil, the quicker they will effectively go bust.

I love the oil debate, what people really don't realise is that there is enough oil in resever to last over 150 years with some oil fields only just being reached and tapped.

Yet we pay premium $ for it now.

 

[alexakasloth]

never know, to attain 370mpg it probably sacrificed a lot of performance

Would there not be a mid point though, so that the car is fast enough to travel on motorways (say max of 100mph) yet have a high MPG?

 

[Dogbreath]

1The chain-drive they used would also be pretty inefficient compared to some of the technology we could probably use today compared to the early 70's,

Chain and sprockets are one of the most efficient drive systems. They wouldn't be used on push bikes if they weren't.

I can't believe it has a dérailleur gear system though!

 

[Dogbreath]

The oil companies dont want this technology made because it would mean serious losses on their part therefore they do all they can to shut down any advancements in this area. Is rediculas really when we should be saving oil.

Forget the conspiracy theories. The simple fact of the matter is that it isn't difficult to build a vehicle capable of well over 1000mpg under certain conditions., and cleary Shell very worried about this, which must be why they sponsor an international competition for best mileage (Shell Mileage Marathon).

However designing a car with an internal combustion engine to achieve huge mpg, whilst also being able to carry passengers and luggage AND pass Euro safety standards is totally different matter. As cars get heavier due to increasing safety standard they need more power to move them around. That these cars also can return better mileage in many cases than older, lighter, less safe cars is already testament to the research that manufacturers have put into this problem.

 

[Overlag]

not sure how overheating the engine gives better mileage... seems a bit wierd.

i thought the colder the fuel the better, more power means you can drive with less fuel?

interesting

 

[rayb74]

I love the oil debate, what people really don't realise is that there is enough oil in resever to last over 150 years with some oil fields only just being reached and tapped.

Where did you get this info from?
I work in the Oil/Gas industry and I would say you are about 120 years out at best.
Most of the worlds oil fields past peaked production years ago. And the amount of new fields is reducing all the time.

 

[Jokester]

Any idea how much it weighs though?

Doesn't seem much to it at all so no wonder it get's high MPG. Remember current high mpg test vehicles get over 6000mpg...

Jokester

 

[Old Wino]

..

 

[therealnerd2]

Doesn't seem much to it at all so no wonder it get's high MPG. Remember current high mpg test vehicles get over 6000mpg...

Linkage??

 

[Jokester]

Linkage??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco-Marathon

Actually the world record is over 12000mpg, but the UK record is over 6000mpg.

Jokester

 

[therealnerd2]

Cool, thanks - interesting read..

 

[LizardKing]

Chain and sprockets are one of the most efficient drive systems. They wouldn't be used on push bikes if they weren't.

I can't believe it has a dérailleur gear system though!

Not true im afraid, if i remember rightly there about 60% efficient due to all the moving parts, a belt drive is much more efficient.
There simply used due to there durability.

Im quite shocked its using a chain and sprocket, it cant be outputting much power, it looks rather flimsy to say the least

 

[Sone]

Not true im afraid, if i remember rightly there about 60% efficient due to all the moving parts, a belt drive is much more efficient.
There simply used due to there durability.

Im quite shocked its using a chain and sprocket, it cant be outputting much power, it looks rather flimsy to say the least

Really? i assumed any belt would be failry inefficent as it must slip a little?