The 131 mpg Caterham Seven
The annual Shell Eco-Marathon is a competition designed to find the entrant whose car achieves the maximum fuel economy after driving 40 minutes and completing seven laps around the track at a minimum of 15 mph. Cars can run on gasoline, diesel, LPG, or hydrogen. This year's UK event was held at the Rockingham Speedway.
Most of the entrants are ultra-aerodynamic, bizarrely-shaped creations that look like something out of a sci-fi picture. In this year's event, there was an exception, however. Caterham Cars partnered with Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) and entered a specially-prepared Caterham Seven they called the 2R in the competition.
The 2R was completely production based, and ran on a stock 120-horsepower 1.6L K-Series engine from the company's Roadsport model. The only changes made for the challenge were the fitment of a new aerodynamic body, a lighter seat and narrow-width low-resistance rolling stock. Careful, economical driving techniques would be used by its pilot to squeeze the maximum fuel efficiency out of the engine.
The internal goal the team set for themselves was 100 mpg. The Caterham 2R did better than expected, achieving 131 mpg. Not bad for a lightweight sports car designed to be flung about the track with abandon. Especially considering that this particular Seven is basically a wheel/tire change away from doing so, even in its so-called Eco trim.
(Press release after the jump)
[Source: Caterham Cars]
PRESS RELEASE:
THE 131 MPG CATERHAM
Caterham is famed for producing some of the fastest cars in the world, but what about one capable of returning 131 miles per gallon?
That's exactly what a modified Caterham Seven achieved at the recent Shell Eco- Marathon at Rockingham.
Customized by carbon fibre specialist Axon Automotive, with the support of Energy-Efficient Motorsport (EEMS), the standard Caterham Seven Roadsport 1.6-litre K Series used enhanced aerodynamics, new lightweight seating, narrow low rolling resistance tyres and economic driving techniques to ensure it maximised every drop of fuel. The sportscar smashed the team's initial 100mpg target.
The Shell Eco-Marathon is an annual competition to determine the car with the greatest fuel economy after 40 minutes driving and seven laps of the track at a minimum of 15mph. Each entry must meet strict safety requirements and drive using as little petrol, LPG, diesel or hydrogen as possible.
Axon Automotive project leader, Dr Steve Cousins comments: "We are showing that careful driving and relatively simple modifications to conventional cars can lead to significant fuel savings. Significantly the Caterham 2R was the only car in the competition that was moulded from a road-legal vehicle."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Charles S 12:02PM (7/27/2006)
This really isn't much different than other STUNTS such as driving a diesel Jaguar and get better than usual mileage.
We all get that Caterham makes sports cars, and maybe there should be much rejoice for achieving 131 mpg. However, we all should remind ourselves that the reason it got such good stats is not just because it's a light weight vehicle, but because it was driven very gingerly. To turn the table: judging from those skinny tires, this version of the Caterham would not do as well as other versions cornering on the track.
The use of the Caterham name is really just a ploy, but not really proving that there is some kind of innovation behind the stunt.
My point here is that the REAL story is more about having a light weight car pairing with a small engine is the age-old sure-win method in achieve high mileage. Right now, if we replace any small car with expensive lightweight materials, it, too, will get better mileage than the regular versions of the same car.
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C 4:39PM (7/28/2006)
Charles,
That's like telling people to eat well and exercise if they want to lose weight. Everyone knows it, but they don't want to do it.
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karlInSanDiego 6:45PM (7/28/2006)
Chapman's design (mimicking the Austin 7's he cut his teeth on) has never done one half of 130mpg that I know of. I'd like to hear that they used some extreme tuning and that the engine is sustainable at that level of lean. I agree that the secret to high mileage is low weight, but it's also low frontal area, minimal rotational mass at the wheels, low rolling resistance. So shouldn't those be targets in the current batch of hybrids and next gen of electrics? What happens if you switch a Prius' 175/65-14's to 155/80-15's, or maybe MG TC tires 4.5x19" with some wind cheater discs?
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Robert M. Thompson 2:23PM (7/30/2006)
Toyota made a Starlet which got 57+ mpg. It was affordable for most people. Why can't we get with it nowadays?
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Harry teeter 2:27PM (7/30/2006)
Not bad, better then my honda Insight at 66 MPg, @70 moh on the Us highway. Wonder what it would do as a hybred?. in full production? with an F16 canopy?
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Robert Phillips 2:32PM (7/30/2006)
I had a used, unmodified Chevett diesel which regularly gave me 50 to 55 mpg. What happened to these cars?
I also had a Geo Metro that would regularly get me 60 to 63 mpg.
So what is all this hype about hybreds getting 45 to 55 mpg.?
I am sure that either of these engines in the Caterham Seven would do even better.
The diesel is also a cleaner engine (other than a little diesel smoke, Which is only a little ash.)
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JAYNE 2:56PM (7/30/2006)
SEND TO HOLTMOTORSORTS TOO!
FOR SACHS
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DM in Miami 3:24PM (7/30/2006)
This is hardly an acheivement. Of course, notice how electric cars were not allowed to compete. Go see WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR and you will wonder why we buy foreign oil at all. (Oh, yeah, wait - we have entire industries based on gas guzzling and replacement parts... doh?!~)
In Brazil, cars run on ethanol. It would be very exciting to live in a modern first world nation that was concerned with the environment. LOL.
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Paul 3:25PM (7/30/2006)
Those 1970s and 1980s econoboxes never got the mileage they were supposed to.The 1977 Honda Civic CVCC never got 55 mpg,and a Starlet never got 57 mpg,it was the lousy way that the EPA rated the cars fuel economy that lead to outrageously high numbers.Remember,these cars also came with a mighty 50-60 hp as opposed to todays 95-115.A Charger 2.2 was rated at 40mpg,a K-car at 36,and a Volare 6 cylinder at 24.The "experimental" Dart Lite and Feather Duster were supposed to get 30 back in 1976,using just a lighter hood,bumpers and a tiny carb.The average driver would have to floor the slant 6 to go anywhere,so that 30mpg was a fantasy.Also,1960 Falcons were supposed to get 30mpg and Corvairs about the same.Corvairs were thirsty (as were Beetles),they never got what they were supposed to.I doubt any of those cars delivered that on a daily basis.
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the focus destroyer B-) 3:37PM (7/30/2006)
well, i have an svt focus with a 2.0 litre engine and it gets about 20 mpg at about 70 mph, with the stock 17 inch tires on it, and 75 lbs of sound system in the trunk :-D so let them beat that
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the focus destroyer 3:40PM (7/30/2006)
thats 170 hp, to the wheels, with a couple of modifications
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ETB 3:46PM (7/30/2006)
Go see Who Killed the Electric Car and then go look for the other gunmen on the grassy knoll or the "real killers" of Nicole Simpson.
The real points of the Caterham are simple. One that we as driver's are complete idiots. Other that we all want to put blame somewhere else but where it belongs, us. We want cars and trucks to get 200 mpg but when it comes to buy one or drive it in that manner, none of us do or could.
BTW, I spent time in EV1s. It was an interesting car. Would I buy it, absolutely not. Did GM make any money on it, absolutely not. Lost a lot to tell the truth. Just like the Prius, this stuff will be great someday, right now it's a joke.
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Robert Phillips 3:50PM (7/30/2006)
Your comments: I had a used, unmodified Chevett diesel which regularly gave me 50 to
55 mpg. What happened to these cars?
I also had a Geo Metro
that would regularly get me 60 to 63 mpg.
So what is all
this hype about hybreds getting 45 to 55 mpg.?
I am sure that
either of these engines in the Caterham Seven would do even
better.
The diesel is also a cleaner engine (other than a
little diesel smoke, Which is only a little ash.)
Reply
too tall tim 4:07PM (7/30/2006)
My c230 benz gets 35mpg at 80mph all day long baby. I'll pay a little more at the pump for the pimp ride...yah know!? Oh yeah, and it has a supercharger! That's right!
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robert Kolesnik 4:20PM (7/30/2006)
have a 1986 Toyota Celica GTS---stick shift
for the last 6 years, used it to visit and help out my ex-wife until she passed away this May ---Oxnard CA to Lancaster CA---over 200 miles R/T
each fillup was between 6.1 and 6.2 Gallons----
you figure it out---
will never give this one up
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SM Salwaechter 4:34PM (7/30/2006)
I owned a Volkswagen diesel that got 50+ miles to the gallon. And I own a Geo Metro XFI that got 53 miles/gal. on the open road and did 75miles/hour in the mountains where posted. Why do we not see these kind of cars being produced today. Small car yes but still a super value
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T. Gray 4:35PM (7/30/2006)
I had a 90 Mitsubishi gas burner that would get 4o mpg and run the wheels off any 4 cyl. on the road. Now the new 4 cyl. cost twice as much and get half that milage. The same gas that it ran on is now more than twice the price. Hmmmmmmm, wonder if the oil companies had anythig to do with THAT?
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Ron Shinn 4:35PM (7/30/2006)
The Caterham 7 uses aerodynamics and gingerly driving technics to get 131 mgh. First this car will never be sold to the public, it is not compatable with family transportationand average people do not drive as gingerly as possible. I used to have a 1960 Ford Falcon two door with a 144 ci six cylinder and a 3 speed standard transmission. This car got 50 mpg on the highway with NO modifications. I understand that manufacturers are looking at emmissions now but why can they not build a car that can carry a family comfortably that gets that kind of milage?
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r. darnell 4:38PM (7/30/2006)
I once attended a seminar in the early 70's about fuel vaporization. There was a 1975 caddilac with a
500 ci carburated engine, which the owner claimed to have a fuel vaporization system installed in and he had documented a trip to washington state and back getting 104 mpg. He parked the car in the parking lot
and opened the hood for everyone to see. later he explained exactly how he came across the idea of fuel vaporization only to find that this idea was expiremented with before, by several people and several pattents. he only improved on it. with out explaining the whole story here I will only tell you that the main idea was to get the gasoline to a temperature of 118 degrees for the max. mpg. going into the venturies/ intake in the carburator. I still have all the info. on this seminar if anyone is interested. mrbobbydarnell@aol.com
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T. Gray 4:42PM (7/30/2006)
I had a 90 Mitsubishi gas burner that got 40 mpg. It would run the wheels off any 4 cyl on the road. Now 4 cyl cost twice the price, get half that mpg. The same gas I bought for that car has more than doubled since then. Hmmmmmmmmm I wonder if the oil comp. had anything to do with THAT!
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