Gripping power and ultra-fuel mileage mark state auto highlights

What do a tree frog and a very light car have in common? Read on.

Breaking 100

A mid-Atlantic team of auto enthusiasts has labored close to three years developing a vehicle that could routinely top 100 miles per gallon of gas.

But when it was time to get serious about the road testing, the group called in European Road and Racing owner Karl Troy as a crew chief.

Troy, whose high-performance service shop is in North Charleston, is traveling to Michigan International Speedway to prepare for the final stages of the Progressive Automotive X Prize. The insurance company is offering inventors and gearheads up to $10 million for developing “clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 mpg.”

Troy is involved with a team headed by Charlottesville, Va., businessman and race car driver Oliver Kuttner. He has known Kuttner since assisting his race team at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the early 1990s. The group designed four gas-powered versions of what they call the Edison2 Very Light Car, which is ultra low weight, aerodynamic and fuel efficient.

About 15 vehicles are left out of dozens that were entered in the X Prize competition at its start in 2007. The survivors include three of the Edison2 models, notably the only remaining four-seaters and a tandem two-seater, Troy said.

Troy had a passing interest in the competition until early last month, when Kuttner asked him to serve as crew chief for the #98 four-seater. Troy headed up the team’s drive in the “knockout” stage at the Michigan speedway June 20-30. It's not just a race but an imitation of real life situations such as lane changes and emergency maneuvers, Troy said.

The Edison2 is built with a chrome alloy tube frame, aluminum honeycombed flooring and a carbon fiber body to reduce weight.

The #97 four seater has averaged 101.4 mpg, while the #98 is a bit below 100 mpg, Troy said. Each vehicle has strengths, though. For instance, the #98 has the best air-cooled system, he said.

Troy said he's surprised the competition hasn’t gained more publicity.

“I’m really disappointed something of this significance isn’t blown up more,” he said. “The whole world should know of this.”

For more information, visit www.edison2.com.

Animal treads

Don’t be surprised to flip on the TV and see a tree frog’s grip compared to a tire hugging the road.

That’s part of a new ad campaign from BFGoodrich Tires, a brand sold by Michelin. The French tire company has its North American headquarters in Greenville.

The national campaign, which kicked off this week, is designed to focus on characteristics of various animals, such as a cheetah’s legs, to illustrate features of a new set of BFGoodrich tires.

According to the brand, the national broadcast, print and online advertising campaign “heralds a new approach for BFGoodrich Tires, providing consumers with a series of unconventional and obviously fictitious situations to help clearly visualize key tire benefits.”

The advertising spots zero in on tire grip, acceleration and toughness.

“Although not all consumers aspire to be race car drivers, rally pros or drifting champions, they can get a more exhilarating driving experience by owning tires with the same attributes of those used by these driving experts,” said Tom Jupena, marketing communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires.

Two-time Formula Drift champion Samuel Hubinette executed the stunt driving for the spots and Rally pro Lars Wolfe provided technical and special counsel. The vehicles featured in the ads include a Ford Mustang GT and a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, both with BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S tires.

Online and television advertising featuring the tree frog started Wednesday. It can be viewed at youtube.com. Print versions of the tree frog will begin appearing in September issues.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com