CARS – 2009 Supermileage Vehicle
Our team record performance is 2,752.3 mpg.
Our new goal is 4000 mpg.
The Supermileage vehicle is designed to reduce energy losses as much as possible.  Aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and engine efficiency are all taken areas of concern.
The aerodynamic shell—or fairing—is streamlined to minimize the help the vehicle cut through the air.  Our monocoque frame is made entirely out of carbon, with the “chassis” weighed 9 lbs coming out of the mold.  Although very light, the frame combined with the carbon roll bar (which weighs less than 3 lbs) has proven to withstand over 250 lbs of force.
We have traditionally run out of time getting fuel injection into the vehicle, so up until now the engine has run on a carburetor.  This is the year, however, that we hope to make fuel injection happen.
Additionally, we are planning to make some electronics upgrades to the vehicle, implementing sensor tracking of vehicle performance, and upgrades to vehicle mating, to decrease drag and turbulence on the vehicle.
Some fast facts:
Material: Carbon (Some steel/aluminum, but not much)
Overall weight: 96 lbs (including fire extinguisher)
Engine: Honda 50cc, four stroke, carburetor (working on fuel injection)
Top Speed: 43 mph?? (Not at all important, but everybody asks anyways.  43 mph is the fastest we’ve ever taken it, but it could go faster if we geared it differently)

We have traditionally run out of time getting fuel injection into the vehicle, so up until now the engine has run on a carburetor.  This is the year, however, that we make fuel injection happen.  Also, we may even begin to play around with a new type of fuel…

Some fast facts:

Material: Carbon (Some steel/aluminum, but not much)
Overall weight: 96 lbs (including fire extinguisher)
Engine: Honda 50cc, four stroke, carburetor (working on fuel injection)
Top Speed: 43 mph?? (Not at all important, but everybody asks anyways.  43 mph is the fastest we’ve ever taken it, but it could go faster if we geared it differently)