Topgear.com's Project Sipster: 0-60/7.09 seconds 84MPG for $7k

[kcfoxie]

http://www.topgear.com/us/videos/more/topgear.coms-project-sipster

http://www.topgear.com/us/features/more/we-build-a-70-mpg-car/

O.M.G.

That's all I have to say.

[Couga]

Damn,
I'm getting 50-52 ish now.... wonder what i could do to help it along. But a Jetta is heavier than the rabbit..

[Atlantonius]

Damn,
I'm getting 50-52 ish now.... wonder what i could do to help it along. But a Jetta is heavier than the rabbit..

There are still alot of things you could do to help it along.

fill in gaps in your bumper (though you may not want to look as retarded as that golf does in the front end);
create a set of lightweight undercarriage plates to increase your aero dynamics (every little bit helps);
lower the car;
reduce your cars overall weight;
lightweight rims/low resistance tires;
most importantly, research gearing and different options and find a longer more effective gearing solution;
increasing power could also help;

If you really worked on it, you could probably get close to 60, though it may not be worth it in both appearance of the vehicle and usability. Also, there may be a larger investment into the car than what you've done so far (including the price of the car) just to get it that extra 8-10mpg.

I think we should drop the car, get an extra front bumper (big bumper) and completely smooth it out, and find some really lightweight aluminum and make some undercarriage plates. Those are all very low cost and should help.

[kcfoxie]

not to mention they dropped a tdi into it.

if you put my motor into your car it could match what they did with the properly done body work as stated above.

[hexadec0079]

Very nice work!

Also, Sweet Mother of Jesus! We have found Dave Coleman (of Sport Compact Car magazine fame). His last column was months before they shut the magazine down. I love his technical insight and overall approach to all things automotive. Glad to know he is still doing adventurous things in the name of automobiles!

[2.slowduo]

I want one!!!!