AutoblogGreen

"Murray is working on a new small car so efficient that the savings will allow an owner to save it's full $10,000 cost within four years."

Well, at $3.50 a gallon (for America assuming that is the avrage price for the next couple years) divided by 20mpg at 15,000 miles a year for four years comes up to about 10k. Unless the car doesn't cost anything to run, or gas prices go through the roof, I don't think the car will save you 10k.

Although I doubt he'll actually meet his claim, I wish him luck.

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Could this be Project Kimber, AKA the smart Roadster?

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With that average, wouldn't that mean that the car, at a scant 1100 lbs should be getting 50mpg at least with a standard gasoline engine and even a slushbox. CVT or better yet AMT would be better for mileage (though I'm not so sure of the CVT's reliability). With a 3 cylinder TDI, it should see 60-70mpg in such a light car, assuming decent gearing and aerodynamics. If a boxy '80's compact truck (Isuzu) can average 45mpg, then it better.

So, using the same estimates as above, 60mpg with 3.50/gal average, 15,000 miles a year, that would come to a fuel cost of $875 for a year. $3,500 for 4 years, so if the 15000mi/20mpg*$3.50g*4yr is correct, then you'd save exactly $7,000 over that period, or $1,750/yr.

Of course, the mpg is a flat constant in the equation, when it in reality a variable, as is the miles driven and fuel price. But, at 6 years, the car would "pay for itself" assuming the target goals are met and the variables remained at the average levels in the equations.

In order to meet the stated goal of $10k savings in 4 years, the car would have to average about 250mpg or more ($840 fuel cost for a 4 year period, according to the constants). So I don't see that happening. 60-70mpg, yes, but 250+? We won't see that kind of efficiency out of any car, ever. We'll be driving pure electric or pure hydrogen-bomb cars at that point, or a mixture. Or we'll all die. Who cares.

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the cost is much more then just fuel... tyres, servicing inner city charges, at a guess.

it will happen and it will be phat.

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