Could YOU Build a 2500MPG Car?

What does it take to build a 2500MPG car? Can it even be done? During my visit to the Shell Eco-Marathon Americas I learn just want it takes to build an insane prototype high MPG vehicle. Thanks to Shell for sponsoring this video.
Check out the Shell Eco-marathon Americas website to learn more about the program: go.shell.com/1Q...
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[@HumbleMechanic]

This event was really a fun time. The stuff the kids came up with was inspiring. I wish I could have done something like this at 17

[@gurbazdhillon6965]

It was a pleasant surprise to see a video on this. I'm on the student team for this at my university :). That's us at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="127">2:07</a>!

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Robbie Dhillon hell yea!!

[@wcvp]

So that's why I've been seeing people working in one of our shops at 4am pretty regularly recently... That's my school's team at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="108">1:48</a>

[@HumbleMechanic]

AWESOME!!!!

[@wcvp]

For sure, I was very shocked when I saw anything relating to my school on here. We only have around 2400 students.

[@MrCarni2]

It's tricky to be made fair... If they don't compensate for driver weight, lighter drivers gain advantage but if they do, some wight can be saved by removing or using lighter braking assistance systems and relying on a muscular driver's own force to stop the vehicle.

[@winstonsmith5835]

Very nice video overview of the entire competition. It was so awesome to meet you there! Glad to see our university's vehicle in the video with the first person view! Go eBulldog!

[@brianbowman5402]

Some benefits from this type of activity make it to the real world, but overall there are much more important automotive issues that could be addressed.

[@HumbleMechanic]

There are an infinite number of automotive issues that need to be addressed no doubt. That means there are and endless number of videos out there to be made. I was really jazzed about this event. It's so different from the car world that I live in. I have to say, as a dealer tech, I was largely ignorant to just how big the auto world is. That is one of the limiting factors many dealer techs face. Thanks for the comment Brian. If you have any suggestions for topics to do a show on, please send them my way

[@BerndFelsche]

About 3000mpg in 1979(?) with the Orbital Engine Company's entry. Super light. Super-slippery (shape derived from glider fuselage). Powered by a very modified model aircraft engine.

[@Swordie100]

We have a couple of different teams at the TU Delft working on stuff like this. I like the hydrogen racecar the most. :p

[@simonrawle7885]

im jut having a gess but do the engines in theres cars have heavy fly wheels ?

[@OnTheFloorGarage]

i mean when my driving habits still achieve 40MPG its pretty remarkable... plus is so fun to drive. that TDI life

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Michael MacKenzie lol yeah!!

[@jessstuart7495]

So, what was the setup on the 2585 mpg car?

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Jess Stuart it was a gas powered teardrop design.

[@ncrdisabled]

When I was over seas for a while they have cars that get better mileage than we do in the USA

[@chada75]

I would pay to watch these race at Gopro Motorplex.

[@Nipplator99999999999]

I'm surprised by all the chain driven single reduction drivetrains.

[@menne36]

nice

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks!

[@Nipplator99999999999]

I am sure I can do the research, find the materials expected to be the best suited. I maybe even will make it through the chassis build with full systems integration. I would start the final task of engine building and installation, and completely blow it. I'm certain however, I would have the fastest car after I get sidetracked "improving" the initially​ well researched, more appropriate version. I know myself too well to even pretend otherwise.

[@HumbleMechanic]

HAHAHA, I would be thinking " you know with a turbo... " HAHAH

[@Nipplator99999999999]

My mower popped the head gasket and I truly started only allowing for required to function repair and not a thing more... I somehow managed to port and polish the heads, stumbled upon a bit over-sized piston from a fallen relative. I was "inspired" that it's a requirement, and spent more time to locate needed parts, and a matching sized reamer, than I spent on actual work. Thanks to dumb luck it worked, for a few weeks until unnamed "borrowed" it, running over a stub of broken clothes line pole. I stored the piston crown again.

[@melody3741]

a bike goes just as fast and uses no gasoline or fossil fuels whatsoever.

[@alkiou3613]

Human body has an efficiency of about 25% when moving from what I've heard. But produces a lot of drag. So I think these vehicles can consume less. BTW I am a cyclist and move every day about 13km to go to my university, so I believe bikes are the best means of transportation, no doubt.

[@melody3741]

I agree that they consume less total joules, but eating food is less harmful than burning gasoline.

[@richardwegneriii4949]

While this is super cool that we are driving innovation into efficiency...... this also made me wish I could have just rolled up in a V-12 Lamborghini and smoked that race.

[@HumbleMechanic]

HAHAHA I feel that. That is why I wanted to make sure I mentioned how far apart from my normal automotive world this is...Plus show barking tires on a Dodge ;)

[@richardwegneriii4949]

I know when you took off I was pretty darn impressed. I was talking to a guy at my dealership where I get serviced and he mentioned that he watched your video clip and that it is possible to put "third party" launch control on that car. Voids stock warranty I assume but a 4D sedan doing burnouts?!?!? Might trade my Dart in lol

[@Demon09-_-]

kids can build little gas bikes to be fair that get 25xxmpg -_- but yet a Prius that gets spend a ton load of money to develop can't even get a 100mpg in the city when the gas engine barely is on.or even a smart car that weighs under 2000lbs or under 900kg can't even get close to 100mpg... give me a 100mpg car already

[@bradnimbus4836]

I could Not so sure about anyone else

[@teardowndan5364]

High efficiency may sound nice but with the amount of comfort and driveability you have to sacrifice to get it, the supermileage prototypes aren't anywhere near practical. If the competition required that the vehicle be able to accommodate an average person (say 5'8 and 160lbs) instead of the second smallest and lightest person on the team, be able to accelerate to street-legal speeds with street-legal acceleration, it would be more impressive. I bet even those very modest requirements would cut the fuel efficiency in half.

[@melody3741]

Teardown Dan just ride a fucking bike, honestly

[@teardowndan5364]

Which is exactly what I do from May to August whenever weather allows and I don't need to carry tools or other luggage.

[@joshuaengler331]

There are two types of vehicles that can be entered into the competition. A team can choose to compete with a prototype vehicle or you can compete with an urban concept vehicle which is required to be street legal and fit luggage as well.

[@Bam221]

how can one measure mpg with engine off? hmm

[@HumbleMechanic]

They measure the overall trip

[@jeffk464]

eh, if they were really clever they would build a Mr Fusion unit.

[@hi-fidude6670]

Its about smiles per gallon not miles per gallon. My car gets 13 mpg at best, do I care? No. Is it fun? Hell yeah.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+AndreyGaming hahaha right on! I am not a light footed driver ;$

[@jeffk464]

Mk7 GTI, you can have a lead foot and still get good mpg's.

[@hi-fidude6670]

American classics and classic muscle owners don't care about mpg. Old cars had character and style, now it seems like they traded their soul for good gas milage. The second reason I don't own a modern car is that only milk comes in 2 liters, coming from a 390 cubic inch V8 owner. Can you guess my car? One hint: Sharp fins with dual bullet tail lights.

[@iSeedless]

Mk7 R, you can get good mpg's coasting down hills or riding on a trailer.

[@sampound3543]

AndreyGaming I'm sure your pockets didn't find it too fun.

[@teemum.9023]

Well, no, and these will never enter mass production. Just like General Motors or Toyota about the electric car.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Teemu M. Right these will not see mainstream. But I think we will continue to see a rise in electric vehicles

[@Zezims]

Just a week internship ? :/

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Back Seat Garage its better than I'll ever see. Lol

[@Zezims]

HumbleMechanic Yea, you're right. It's great that they'll get that. Well deserved.

[@willvanallsburg4703]

i could do it. gimme an electric car

[@shadowkeeper0]

If many of those things are called cars, then i already have a 2500 mpg car in my garage already, man powered bicycle...i understand the R&D side of these things...but outside of that they are completely worthless.

[@evanjeffrey9677]

You understand that this is a competition for students to learn stuff? Don't be a jerk.

[@mohammed.u]

1st

[@HumbleMechanic]

NICE! You even beat me to commenting.