Three wheels better than 4?:
The “alé” features a unique 3-wheeled configuration: 2 in the front, and one in the rear. The front wheels drive and steer the vehicle. This design enables the car to perform at a superb level, particularly in cornering, with the car easily pulling 1.7 g’s in corners during track testing on street tires. The three-wheeled automotive platform also aid in improving fuel efficiency and aerodynamics.
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Vapor system:
The car’s key innovation's are the fuel vapor system and it's light weight aerodynamic body. This fuel vapor technology (which is in the patent pending process) allows the engine to run on “fuel vapors” rather than liquid fuel. The majority of gas engines today run 14.7:1 – (14.7 parts air to 1 part gasoline). This proprietary fuel vapor system allows the “alé” to run on a ratio of over 20:1 without compromising performance. According to the textbooks, this ratio is impossible, as a standard engine would not start or run on a air/fuel ratio this low. |
With a 10 gallon gas tank found on most vehicles, the “alé” can travel from Vancouver BC to San Francisco CA on one tank. Over 15 hours of driving without filling up.
Performance:
Not only does the “alé” have extreme mileage capabilities, but its performance is outstanding and better than many high-end sports cars. It accelerates from 0-60 in 5 seconds, and will pull over 1.7 g’s in hard corner's on street tires. Brad Zimmerman, head tech for the company stated during testing at the Mission race track, “I drove it hard for 4 solid hours, throwing it into corners, accelerating and braking hard. The car’s performance is spectacular. After all that hard driving, we only went through $10 in gas.”
Emissions:
The “alé” runs on regular gasoline, and easily achieves the level of “super low” emissions with a 30% reduction in CO2. Even more impressive is the fact that all the data to date has been gathered without a catalytic converter.
Automotive X-Prize
FuelVapor Technologies will be entering the “alé” in the "Automotive X-Prize" competition for the most fuel efficient production vehicle http://xprize.acrobat.com/p92151066/.
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Infiniti, a company engaged with clean engines technology, is now presenting the Infiniti G Sedan, voted “10 best” engines 13 years in a row.
The Future:
This is the first time the public have had a chance to view the “alé”. The company is currently seeking investors to take the “alé” into production.
It's hard to imagine how much a car like this will cost, especially since it's really hard to compare to any other vehicle. Comprehensive Car Insurance costs for it, as well, are hard to predict. |
Vehicle Specifications
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Body
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Hand-layed fiberglass composite
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Chassis
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Full tube frame with roll cage
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Engine
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High mileage Honda engine
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Turbo Charged 1500cc
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2 Stage single cam Vtec
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Gasoline vapor fuel management system
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180 HP
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0-60 MPH in 5 seconds
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1/4 mile time of 12.9 seconds
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Transmission
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5 speed standard, or 4 speed over drive automatic
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Front Suspension
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Honda CRX with fully adjustable coil over
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Rear Suspension
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Single sided swing arm with fully adjustable coil over
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Steering
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Porsche 911 rack and pinion (2.25 turns lock-to-lock)
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Front Brakes
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Front discs: 12.1" diameter vented and scallopped rotors, 4-piston calipers
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Rear Brakes
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10" disc brakes
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Wheels & Tires
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Aluminum 18" X 8" front and rear
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Configuration
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Two seat tandem. - shoulder seat belts
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Dimensions
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Wheelbase: 110”
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Outside to outside track: 71.5"
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Length: 174’’
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Height: 50“
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Dry Weight: 1400 lbs
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Fuel Capacity: 10 gal.
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Top speed: Electronically limited to 140 mph.
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