Category Archives: PIAXP X PRIZE

The Automotive X PRIZE competition continues…

The X-Tracer Team arrived on Friday, July 16th for the Finals Stage.  We picked up both E-Tracers on Saturday at National Cycle.  On Sunday we drove to Michigan International Speedway (MIS) and checked in.  Vehicle technical inspections were held Monday … Continue reading

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Automobil Revue reports on X PRIZE Knockdown stage

Editor Rainer Klose spent a few days in Michigan during the June X PRIZE Knockdown stage and published a great spread in Automobil Revue magazine.  I hope you’re fluent in German! AR-Xprize-Knockout1 (page 29) AR-Xprize-Knockout2 (page 30 & 31) [Source:  Automobil … Continue reading

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Vote for the MOST INNOVATIVE X PRIZE Vehicle

Our two E-Tracers are now in the X PRIZE finals! There is another online election available to vote for the MOST INNOVATIVE of the participating vehicles:  http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/fan-favorites You can do our team a very big favor (again) if you vote … Continue reading

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Results of Urban, City, & Highway Efficiency

Last week we completed the Urban and City efficiency tests on June 23rd, and the Highway efficiency test on June 24th.  The Urban efficiency test comprised 8 laps (16mi), 6 stops per lap, while maintaining an average of 22mph.  The … Continue reading

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Both X-Tracers passed Technical Inspection

We got both vehicles nicely through tech inspections, so our work back in Chicago was successful.  We did not like the ballast weights we were assigned to carry, but it won’t hamper performance by a lot since there is no … Continue reading

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All work done and loading the truck

Lewis & Clark (the two guys who where sent off by Jefferson to explore the West) aka Frankie and me have more or less made the two X-Tracers race-ready during the last 4 days and we couldn’t have done it … Continue reading

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Back in the US and some work to do

Frank Loacker, chief engineer from our “b” team www.zerotracer.com (they don’t like to hear that… 😉 )  and I got to Chicago yesterday and will start working on the two X-Tracers today.  We have only minor repairs and improvements to make … Continue reading

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PIAXP Announces Successful Teams after Shakedown

Today, the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, a $10 million competition to inspire a new generation of viable super-efficient vehicles capable of achieving 100 MPGe (miles per gallon or its energy equivalent), announced 22 teams representing 27 vehicles survived Shakedown … Continue reading

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Back in Switzerland & some afterthoughts

We all got back on LX09 Swiss from ORD to ZRH yesterday afternoon, and needed a good night’s sleep…the week at MIS was pretty tough, even without having to fix anything major on the two E-Tracers.  I can only imagine … Continue reading

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Both E-Tracers Qualified for X-Prize Knockout Stage

Both E-Tracers passed the acceleration and brake tests as well as the Consumer’s Union double lane change avoidance maneuver “Elchtest” without problems. Yesterday’s highlight was the Durability Test.  Both E-Tracers made their 20 laps on a closed circuit with bumps, potholes and dirt … Continue reading

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