Car gets 120 mpg in test

One of Edison2's two mainstream class Very Light Cars on the track during the 200-mile range test.

By: Brian McNeill | Daily Progress
Published: July 23, 2010

Both of Edison2's mainstream class Very Light Cars just proved they can travel 200 miles without refueling, clearing a key test on the team's quest to win the $5 million X Prize.

The first car, driven by Italian race car driver Emanuele Pirro, finished the 100 laps around the Michigan International Speedway without any problems. The team's second car, driven by Brad Jaeger, overheated during the test, so it required a few pit stops to cool off and consequently incurred a few penalty laps.

As Jaeger pulled across the finish line, his silver Very Light Car was mobbed by cheering Edison2 team members, the public and members of the media.

"Whoooo!" yelled Kim Kuttner, wife of Edison2's team leader, Oliver Kuttner.

Oliver Kuttner bearhugged Jaeger as he exited the car, his red motorcycle helmet still on.

"That was the big one," Kuttner said.

"We got it," Jaeger said. "We got it in there."

Kuttner estimated that Jaeger averaged around 120 miles per gallon during the 200 mile range test.

Edison2's pair of four-seat class Very Light Cars are the only vehicles still in the running for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize mainstream competition.

Edison2 team members are highly confident they can pass the few remaining tests to advance on to the efficiency and performance validation testing next month at Argonne National Laboratory.

On Monday, the Very Light Car will be required to undergo safety tests, such as braking, acceleration and avoidance maneuvering. The team has already proven its vehicles can meet those requirements in previous stages of the X Prize competition.

Car gets 120 mpg in test

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