K1 Attack Hybrid faster than Porsches, runs on battery and soybean oil!

Shame on you, automakers of the world. Geeky hybrids to show off environmental consciousness is one thing, creating a brilliant and fast hybrid sportscar is another!

7 March 2006
MUMBAI, INDIA

The K1 Attack is a hybrid car designed and built by students of West Philadelphia High School's Academy for Automotive and Mechanical Engineering will be shown off at the Philadelphia Auto Show 2006. The car runs on fuel from soybeans, and gets more horsepower than some Porsches, as well as more gas mileage than a Toyota Prius. The car has already won a competition for eco-friendly vehicles at the 2005 Tour de Sol, and this year again, it is likely to make an impact at the 2006 show, which was attended by a quarter million people. It will also form an ideal setting for publicity as well as possible corporate sponsors.

The K1 Attack hybrid-biodiesel Honda Accord does the 0-60 in under 4 seconds and returns fuel efficiency figures of 50 miles per gallon! Now ask the world's automakers to beat that with their hybrids with multi-million dollar budgets!

The K1 Attack uses a 200 bhp AC propulsion electric motor in the front which generates electricity and charges the battery through regenerative braking, as well as a 1.9 TDI diesel engine from a junked Volswagen Jetta at the rear that uses biodiesel generated from soybean oil. The turbodiesel engine also uses an intercooler for the turbocharger.

With oil prices shooting up and Presidential encouragement towards development of alternative fuels and power systems, program administrator Simon Hauger had no difficulty visualizing this car on the streets. He said, "We're super low-budget," so automakers "should be cranking them out."

Cost of parts are estimated to be between $80,000 and $100,000. The car has used carbon-fiber body panels donated by Hexcel Corp., of Stamford, Conn., and wheels and tires from OZ Racing. In addition, $5,000 was donated by Philadelphia-based refining company Sunoco. Funds were mostly raised through Philadelphia Academies Inc., a nonprofit board, supported by businesses as well as individuals, that channelises high school students in the city to career-focused schools.

The engine runs on biodegradable, non-toxic soybean fuel that has significantly lower emissions than petroleum-based diesel when burned.

Philadelphia's budget woes have however proved to be a consistent obstacle in the car's path: only public outrage and the victory at the Tour de Sol forced the school authorities not to cancel the project entirely last year. Nearly a third of the residents of that area live below the poverty line.

Here is to hoping that someone truly visionary picks up on where these students have taken it, and creates something truly outstanding and mass-market. It is almost embarassing to think that a few kids could do this - here is long life and more achievements to you kids! Do drop us a mail when you can!