Introducing Aerocivic
January 2, 2008 by Matt Brogan
With many automotive manufacturers claiming fuel efficient cars cost too much to build, an American man known only as Basjoos has built his own ‘Aerocivic’ and achieved 95mpg (2.48 litres per 100km).
Now sure, it’s as ugly as a hat full of busted eggs, but the figures prove that with a little bit of know-how, anything is possible.
Built from materials including aluminium, coroplast and lexan (perspex) Basjoos purchased at the local hardware shop, he managed to construct the vehicle entirely in his backyard. We’d never have guessed that.
Furthermore with only his basic aerodynamic knowledge he says he has reduced the drag coefficient of the 1992 Honda Civic CX from 0.34 to 0.17.
The vehicle will cruise as high as 90mph (145km/h) and tops out at 100mph (161km/h), though Basjoos claims fuel economy is dramatically reduced at these speeds.
Basjoos is now a contender in the Automotive X-Prize competition which offers $US10 million ($A11.4 million) for the first person to construct an 100mpg (2.35 l /100km) car.
Print it: 
Ugly – yes, but some pretty impressive figures there.
Yeah… I’d rather pollute the planet.
Its incredible just how much those aerodynamics have improved the fuel economy! It is ugly i must agree but if someone can halve the Cd. with nothing but materials from a hardware shop surely manufacturers can do better than they have been and keep it from looking too ugly?
Damn, I didn’t know that you get 10 million for making a 100mpg car.
I would take a car with 1.3ltr and do the same…maybe i would reach 100mpg and get that 10 million, then buy myself a 4mpg supercar =)
LOL – I like Ivan’s way of thinking… need a mechanic dude?
Yeah that’s what I thought. He should get hold of one of those Japanese micro cars with the 600cc engines and do it to that. He’d be a shoe in for the $10 mil.
Yes its ugly, but i’m sure in the hands of a creative designer and lots fiberglass. A sexy and fuel efficent design could be acheived. Lets face it, its not that much uglier than most American cars anyway!
That’s true.
If the Automotive X-Prize doesn’t have particularly hard criteria (like minimum engine size is 2.0ltr), this “Basjoos” dude showed that it is actually possible.
100mpg would only be achived if you’re cruising in a freeway, and the biggest problem is to maintain constant speed, so drag coefficient is one of the biggest factor, as well as weight.
This might be a Spyshot of the 2010 Subaru Impreza.
shockingly ugly despite the figures.
IAM WITH YOU NICK I RECKON THIS CAR LOOKS WAY NICER THAN THE NEW SUBARU BY FAR………….
Check out the criteria for the Auto X-Prize @ http://auto.xprize.org/auto
All that just by putting cones on the car?
Amazing when you think how much car manufacturers spend on research like this. I’m sure with a bit of engine tweaking he’ll get the prize…and desrves it.
So we actually believe the claims of this lunatic without any verification? Seriously, come on.
Hey Brad don’t be so anti when someone is trying to do good stuff.