Cornell University X-Prize team to base their car on a Geo Metro
One of the teams entered in the Automotive X-Prize is from Cornell University and they have selected an unexpected car which they will use as their test platform. In order to meet the goal of 100 mpg gasoline equivalent, team members have decided to build a plug-in hybrid and have procured an old Geo Metro to use as their test mule. Members of the team are currently tearing down the car to analyze the mass of the components so they can make their competition car as light as possible. Other team members are working on procuring and developing components for the drive-train including motors, batteries and electronics. The Popular Mechanics-sponsored team currently has about seventy members working on this project.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim Bullis 7:06PM (2/14/2008)
I am guessing that their entry will not really look like a Metro. It looked like their crew included some significant aerodynamics talent.
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Phil L. 8:32AM (11/12/2007)
Hardly surprising. The Geo Metro is a favorite of the EV conversion community. It's light and readily available for reasonable money on the used market. There are EV kits designed specifically for the Metro which is great for those who don't mind doing the work, but want to follow a known path with predictable results.
I'd be surprised if the Cornell team *didn't* use readily-available Metro EV conversion statistics to determine the feasibility of their plug-in hybrid approach.
Another advantage the EVers appreciate: The Metro was available in stock form with non-power steering and brakes. So less weight and a simpler conversion process; no need for pricey electrically-powered vacuum and hydraulic pumps (the usual approach for these problems). Yes, other small cars can be set up for manual steering and brakes - but, as I understand it, many DMV's will not approve such conversions. The general rule is: If the donor vehicle had power brakes/steering, the conversion must power these features as well.
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