alé goes for X-Prize
Whether there's a consumer market for the alé, a 2-seat 3-wheeler built by Fuel Vapor Technologies, or not, the vehicle is an early contender for the Automotive X-prize. The X-Prize is a global competition designed to inspire automotive innovation, and a multi-million-dollar prize is up for grabs. While it weighs a scant 1,400 pounds and is aerodynamically fluid, the alé would still achieve only about 70 mpg in EPA tests with the stock Honda 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Right now, designers say it can get 92 mpg. The difference is the patent-pending fuel system that serves up a vapor in front of the stock throttle body. During light-duty cruising, the engine's regular fuel injectors are shut off and engine runs only on the vapors. The alé we found at the SEMA Show did not have the vapor system on the engine. It would normally go on the turbo pipe leading to the throttle body. Officials said they are still working out the patent details and didn't want to show off the product too early. According to lead engineer Brad Zimmerman, the vehicle can go from 0-60 in five seconds. He adds that the biggest problem facing the vehicle before public release is fixing the "drivability" problems as the computer switches between the standard and vapor fuel systems. Right now the alé could be certified as a car in Europe but would be a motorcycle in the U.S. Currently there are no plans to market a stand-alone vapor system that could be retrofit on other vehicles because the electronics are so complicated.
More photos after the break.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
autoinfo 2:59PM (1/23/2008)
The size and structure of the vehicle may be questionable but using vaporized fuel is proven. I see from their website they are operating in a lean burn condition, around 20-1. That typically creates an unacceptable level of NOX in the exhaust. I have also seen another company called Vapor Fuel Technologies that has multiple patents on a vapor system that greatly increases fuel economy without the NOX problem and has been verified by an independent test lab. You can check them out at http://www.vftllc.com
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MATT 8:55PM (1/28/2008)
I agree that this is not the "Safe" suburban in your driveway, but I would use a small diesel powerplant (VW polo) and 100mpg would be easy.
100+ m.p.h. and sub 5 second acceration is a thrill but is meaningless for mileage. That said, it is a much better idea than the "Smart Car" which has a high Center of Gravity. I drive 106 miles round trip to work and the sad thing is the most economical non-hybrid is a Yaris and that gets under 40mpg doesn't impress me, only twice the mpgs of a full size pickup. Hybrids are ok just not for me, I am not an electrical engineer so when it craps out, I'm lost.
If they built it as a TurboDiesel I would buy.
Why does every other post say "Put a fourth wheel on it"? This tadpole trike design is VERY stable, it sadens me the Can-am spyder only gets 30mpg, as I would buy it if it got in the low 50's
The U.S. needs to wake up, In the U.K. they have many cars that get great mileage, I guess the only thing I can do is wait to see what Honda and VW will do with their diesels, I'm sure it would happen sooner if gas in the US hits 10 dollars a gallon.
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Doug 2:14AM (2/05/2008)
Give me a price of around $15,000 and I'll buy one of these tomorrow. For my commute, it would be a perfect vehicle. Front wheel drive means it could do alright even in snow and ice, and at 70 MPG and a 10 gallon tank, I'd love to fill up only every 700 miles. Yes, it can't haul four people, but 90% of my trips are solo anyway. Please sell these, establish a dealer network for servicing, make them reliable, and you will find willing buyers.
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daniel 11:08PM (2/22/2008)
All the people who would buy one just because they think they would survive a crash with an 18-wheeler, get over it. You wouldn't survive in your SUV and this vehicle isn't for you anyway. This vehicle has a tube frame and a roll cage not to mention that the sheer maneuverability of the vehicle would let you avoid the accident. 1.7g--that's not ridiculous, that's ludicrous.
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John Swansey 1:21PM (7/04/2008)
this is great BUT I can run a car on vap[or also
but the price of your car is too high you will not save any money paying such a high price for a car . At your price you coauld buuy a lot of gas
Make your car cheaper and you will not be able to make them fast enough and they will sell my syatem is simple and with the power you need
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Luke 10:22PM (9/21/2008)
What color is that paint?
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John 12:38PM (4/01/2009)
For me, I don’t trust any company that can’t give an estimate on the cost of this vehicle (see website FAQs) it will most likely cost somewhere around 30-50k (like the T-Rex which does not even have a closed cabin) and that it only get 92Mpg is and seats only one person is stupid all these green car companies want huge dollar amounts for these cars. I thought it was all about get the masses behind the wheel of to help with reduce climate-change.
At least the Aptera holds two and half people and will get more that 120Mpg. What a joke this cars is!
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Donald 8:11PM (7/13/2009)
I think the project is realy great. There is people out there that think what you have built, is top notch. I am a builder of all kinds of cool things. So keep it up . thanks Don
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tpdubos 2:51PM (11/22/2009)
very cool I built a 3 wheeler from a 1990 toyota corolla FWD 5spd and have finished it accept for the paint job I love the color of the ale, also the fact it gets great MPG , wish it werent so expensive , sounds like only a rich kids toy . I guess your the closest to the 1000000000 prize @ 92 MPGmaybe youll figure out the last few miles to hit the 100 mark. later Tim.
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Dennis Waller 10:03PM (11/06/2006)
I can't believe a two seater would be a valid AXP contender. That's hardly main stream market.
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Dave 2:33PM (11/10/2006)
Yeah, this modified motorcycle vs. an 18 wheeler on the highway, but you get 92 miles to the gallon, GREAT!!!
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nathan 2:52PM (4/30/2009)
Like you're gonna survive an 18-wheeler collision in anything else? Brilliant argument, Einstein. Let's just all drive M1-tanks, then. What have you invented lately?
When people call Americans fat & stupid, just remember. You're the reason.
emmy 2:36PM (11/10/2006)
Wow, it looks so cool! I'd want one X)
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Jr. 2:41PM (11/10/2006)
Fantastic! Love it own one!
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Michael B. Smith St.James 2:44PM (11/10/2006)
Concept is neat and there is a place for new kinds of vehicles on our roads. But this one looks like a Carp from the front and a Bumper Car from behind. Redesign the body and let's bring 'em to market!
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Tom 2:45PM (11/10/2006)
For our family to go on vacation, we would need four of these things, looks like a backwards tricycle to me.
What would it and the occupants look like after a 65 mph encounter with an 80,000 pound gvw 18 wheeler? Maybe some rusty colored paint chips could be found inside a 10 mile radius. Also, vaporized fuel really worries me. Isn't this how you make a highly explosive device?
DUMB-DEE-DUMB-DUMB
Tom
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wild bill 7:32PM (9/25/2008)
Tom,Tom,Tom ....... What happens to anything that hits a Semi at 80 + mph ? You will have a much better chance in this wrap around tubular steel frame than perched atop a standard motorcycle like a vase on a rocking chair ...Tom reality check ...nothing is really safe and you take your chances according;y
Bob Hughes 2:46PM (11/10/2006)
Isn't it curious that none of the big US auto makers are working on this technology? If a Honda engine can be converted to get 92 MPG, why not GM or Ford? Instead they focus on big gass guzzlers and can't figure out why sales are flat and profits are down. Wake up and smell the coffee. Instead of closing plants, get with the picture and give the consumers what they need.
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Corky 2:52PM (11/10/2006)
Great concept until I think about getting broadsided in that lighweight, two seated death trap. Reminds me of the pedal car I had when I was a kid. And a vapor fuel system with "complicated electronics"? Boom!
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Fred A Stare 6:23PM (11/10/2006)
What an ugly bugger!
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