We hear a lot about cars with great fuel efficiency, but those cars are often small and underpowered, hardly inspiring to fans of exotic vehicles. However, if the Progressive Automotive X Prize has anything to do with it, the fuel-efficient vehicles of the future will have performance capability in line with today’s impressive standards.
Photo licensed under Creative Commons attribution only. Photo by Loiclemeur. See more of his car photos on Flickr.
According to the official website, the Progressive Automotive X Prize is a $10 Million race designed “to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change.”
The race will consist of more than 60 different teams, representing 10 countries around the world. The contestants will race cross-country this year and in 2010. The goal of the race is to find a vehicle that appeals to consumers, meets strict emissions standards, and gets at least 100 miles per gallon.
“A race like this is an excellent way to inspire innovation without sacrificing performance,” says small business consultant Ron Sturgeon. “Competition can really foster creativity.”
The competition is also open to modified existing vehicles, not just new designs. Jonathan Goodwin, a Wichita, KS native who has a national reputation for green vehicle modifications, is planning to participate in the X Prize competition. His team is called “Goodwin Young” and plans to race a modified car owned by music legend Neil Young.
“What I’m interested in is being able to push the technology,” Goodwin told The Wichita Eagle.
Goodwin has been working on a modified 1959 Lincoln Continental owned by Neil Young. The vehicle is called the “Lincoln Volt” and is 19 and a half feet long and two and a half tons.
“We’re not talking about concept cars,” X Prize Foundation chairman and chief executive Peter Diamandis told The Wichita Eagle. “We’re talking about real cars that can be brought to market in the near term that consumers will want to buy.”
With the automotive market in a tailspin, finding a car consumers would like to buy could be tricky. On the other hand, contests like this could make it possible to drive your dream car without worrying about the impact on the environment.
Another option for more earth-friendly exotic car driving is joining an exotic car sharing club. Members have access to an entire garage of exotic cars, but they share the vehicles. Exotic car enthusiasts can drive fuel-efficient vehicles during the week and drive exotic cars on the weekend.
Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.
