Automotive X Prize Finalists (PHOTOS): 9 Cars That Could Change The World

They're aerodynamic, they're snappy, and, best of all, they're efficient.

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize has announced the finalists in its competition to develop a new breed of energy efficient vehicles.

Just 9 cars (down from 136) remain in the competition, which aims to "inspire a new generation of super fuel efficient vehicles." The cars, which go through a grueling series of tests and technical inspections to determine their road-worthiness, must be able to handle real-world scenarios. "It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars," the X Prize Foundation explains.

Check out the finalists in the slideshow below, then vote for your favorite on the X Prize website.

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E-Tracer 7002 and E-Tracer 7009

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The two-seater vehicle, designed by X-Tracer, has a slick aerodynamic design. The car weighs about 1350 pounds, runs on an electric battery, and should cost around $100,000. Stats: - Best mpg to Date: 350 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent) at constant 62 mph - Acceleration (0–60 mph): < 4 sec - Top Speed: 155 mph regulated, but 180 mph unrestricted

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The two-seater vehicle, designed by X-Tracer, has a slick aerodynamic design. The car weighs about 1350 pounds, runs on an electric battery, and should cost around $100,000.

Stats:
- Best mpg to Date: 350 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent) at constant 62 mph
- Acceleration (0–60 mph): < 4 sec
- Top Speed: 155 mph regulated, but 180 mph unrestricted

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Total comments: 804 | Post a Comment

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Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Cool WINNER!

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Images courtesy of the X Prize Foundation.

Comments

[vetxcl]

01:03 AM on 09/25/2010

100,000? usd? can you take a check?

[Chrisjsamp]

04:32 PM on 09/13/2010

the aptera 2 runs on gasoline?

[David P CPA]

05:28 PM on 09/08/2010

To make these cars a reality, you need to put radar sensors in all trucks, cars, SUV's, buses, etc
Without the accident avoidance technology, cars like this are too dangerous on the road with bigger vehicles.
This can be seen @:
http://scobleizer.com/2010/01/03/the-most-under-hyped-but-most-important-technology-since-seat-belts/
We can allow for super lightweight gasoline-powered cars ONLY IF all vehicles are fitted with radar controls that would eliminate 90% of collisions, because these systems, like ABS brakes, can sense an impending collision a lot better and faster than human drivers.

The winners? - The environment, We the people (safer auto travel and less money spent on gasoline and auto insurance), the Auto Industry (sales of the new light cars and sales of the radar/laser control systems) and the Electronics industry (again, the manufacture and sales of the radar/laser control systems.) and the U.S.A. (less dependence on foreign oil.)

[norkas]

05:23 PM on 08/16/2010

Tesla new auto selling for about $55,000 then you get the rebate . The electric Tesla will get approx. 250 miles on one charge to 300 miles.

This is only the beginning and cost will go down and new ides will come forward fast.

[mamacat]

04:40 PM on 08/16/2010

In the UK, Ford sells the Ka, which gets 55 mpg with the gas engine, and 63 mpg with the diesel engine. Why is it not made and sold in the USA? The Ford Focus was first made and sold in Europe, and I think the same thing should happen with the Ka.
BTW, I am a big fan of four wheel disc brakes, but the Ford Focus as sold in America comes only with rear drum brakes, while most of the small imports come with four wheel disc brakes standard.

[funkyou]

06:57 PM on 08/03/2010

This is progress!!

[JPMac]

12:32 PM on 08/03/2010

They mostly look like motorcycles with a body thrown over them. Give me something that seats four with luggage and we can talk!

[JBS]

09:27 AM on 08/03/2010

Minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Who's going to buy those $100,000 2 seat vehicles?

Show me a mini-van that gets 100mpg and retails for less than $20K; something that can carry a family with 2+ kids and all their junk on a family vacation to grandma's house.

[southingtonian]

07:16 AM on 08/03/2010

the li-ion has the range i need, but would never make it down Rt 422 in winter snows here in Ohio.

[claytongrayum]

06:29 PM on 08/02/2010

The X prize said that the winning car would have to be able to go into production... how is $100k going to stay in production? I know the cost will come down with time but not if traditional American car companies have their way... they keep the prices inflated.

[rocknrollinhoneybadger]

04:11 PM on 08/02/2010

Why do most of these cars look like eggs?

[JBS]

09:23 AM on 08/03/2010

aerodynamics - the egg shape reduces wind drag, and boosts "fuel" efficiency.

[gonbald]

12:01 PM on 08/08/2010

Why do most of these cars look like eggs?
Because we get eggcited over them.

[douglhoffman]

12:40 PM on 08/02/2010

For some more down to Earth commentary on the future of the automobile see my article on The Resilient Earth website: http://theresilientearth.com/?q=content/i-sing-auto-electric

[EcnelisDoogod]

12:05 PM on 08/02/2010

Huge advances can be expected in transportation once cars become driver-less. Cars will move in very close proximity at high speeds in "packets." This will reduce traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and increase fuel efficiency. Essentially, only the first and the last cars in a packet would power the drafting chain of cars. The various packets of cars would automatically negotiate and the pass off and take on individual links based on their final destination. Collective computerized obstacle detection and avoidance could outperform human reaction times, making it safer than manual driving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzg1mzwZDko

[WasteNJ]

11:41 AM on 08/02/2010

#8 isn't exactly sports-car fast, but it looks the part, like a Ferrari California knock-off.

#1 looks like the bike from Tron.

[Trapster]

09:09 PM on 08/01/2010

You could never make up the difference between $ AND mpg.

[Mikeeee]

01:01 AM on 08/02/2010

That's the attitude. How much is fresh air for your children worth to you? Now ask them how much it's worth to them? You and others like you have to get over the idea all this stuff is here for "you", you're just the caretaker for your kids, will you be ashamed of the ecological mess you've left them?

[Nunyabiz1]

07:57 AM on 08/02/2010

He might be a delusional Christian that fully believes the World is going to end within the next 40 years.

[Trapster]

12:03 PM on 08/02/2010

You're a sad individual if you can't understand that 98% of Americans can't afford $100,000 for a two seater car.
However, feel free to buy one right now and send me back a message saying you did and then you can throw stones at my glass house.
My observation was not republican/christian/nor delusional/nor anything else---you just opened up your emotions and poured them into my very pragmatic comment.

[WasteNJ]

11:42 AM on 08/02/2010

Not in the beginning, but similar things were said when people were moving around in a horse and buggy and the Model-T changed all that.