Hacked Hybrid Gets Nearly 100 Miles Per Gallon

[Right Lane Cruiser]

An enterprising crew preps their car for the Automotive X PRIZE contest.

Steve Tanner - TONIC - August 20, 2009

An interesting attempt, but the original configuration didn't need tampering to achieve those numbers. --Ed.

Although there is no shortage of conspiracy theories and well-backed stories alike of automakers buying and then burying fuel efficiency technologies, today's mantra is clear: Car makers that want to be in business five years from now must create vehicles that either get high gas mileage or run entirely on electric power.

The Toyota Prius (about 50 mpg) and the Honda Insight (about 40 mpg) are the leaders, and we'll see how GM's Volt performs once it's no longer just vaporware, but a couple of tinkerers in southern Maryland have found a way to double the mileage, as reported by Slashdot in a short blurb.

Averaging 92 mpg on the highway, you'd think the team's hacked Honda Insight is a tech-savvy Holy Grail of efficiency. But the secret is surprisingly simple and makes use of already available parts: replace the gasoline-powered motor with a diesel engine. Specifically, it's a relatively lightweight 1.2-liter TDI turbo diesel Volkswagen engine connected to the stock electric motor -- to wit, a diesel hybrid.

I'm surprised no one thought of that earlier, but it's exciting how such technologies are percolating upward and not solely from the ham-handed automakers who should have started building truly... [Read More]

[Maxx]

Wierd, VW looked into hybrid diesels in the early 90's...

[rdprice64]

Originally Posted by Right Lane Cruiser

An interesting attempt, but the original configuration didn't need tampering to achieve those numbers. --Ed.

So, in your capable hands this Insight should be good for 150-160 mpg or more

[bnther]

General Motors Precept -- hybrid diesel.
The sticker on that one said 108mpg.
I wonder if GM ever kicks itself for dropping that particular model.

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by rdprice64

So, in your capable hands this Insight should be good for 150-160 mpg or more

On Sean's trip to my house last June, he got 100+ in his Insight.

[rdprice64]

Originally Posted by diamondlarry

On Sean's trip to my house last June, he got 100+ in his Insight.

Yes, I remember reading that post. Plus he gets at least that on most days on his commute ... and most everywhere else he goes. So I was just trying to imagine how much higher he could go with this Diesel version.

Sorry if that earlier comment came across the wrong way.

[ALS]

Classic Hot Rodding 101.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by bnther

General Motors Precept -- hybrid diesel.
The sticker on that one said 108mpg.
I wonder if GM ever kicks itself for dropping that particular model.

See GM Precipt - We didn't have to wait for the Volt

In the mid 90's, The While House attempted to get the Big Three to voluntarily build fuel-efficient sedans...all of them seated five and got 72-80mpg, although in today's EPA, that; might be around 60mpg.

We know the history of course: These prototypes cost as much at $100K, but nobody lifted a finger to implement any of the tech into the production cars. Detroit followed the easy money and Explorers. When that came crashing to an end in 2008, GM and Chrysler went from arrogance to begging for TARP - they could have had the cars without government help, but greed got in the way.

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by rdprice64

Yes, I remember reading that post. Plus he gets at least that on most days on his commute ... and most everywhere else he goes. So I was just trying to imagine how much higher he could go with this Diesel version.

Sorry if that earlier comment came across the wrong way.

I didn't see anything wrong with your post. I would like a crack at that car too. I recently hit 169 mpg over 4.6 miles on the way home from my mom's a week or so ago...in a stock Prius. I think Sean and/or I could be knocking on the door of 200 mpg with that set-up.

[Chuck]

It's hard to upgrade a 5-speed Insight, but the turbo/TDI engine was a great idea!

Silly (?) question: is there a good way to reduce the displacement from 1200cc to maybe 800cc and make it 50% more efficient?

That and a boattail....300mpg anyone?