I'm not sure what that Opel had the record for. I know my old professor had designed and set the record in the late 80's in the 100+ mpg range.

Apparently they just rebuilt it with a new engine (it's gone through a handful of swaps) but the original engine was set on an old VW Rabbit Diesel engine. The newer 3 cylinder is smaller. The key to getting that last 40+mpg is going to be aerodynamics. The Festiva is as aerodynamic as a brick, and duct taping the panel gaps isn't reducing drag.
The aero aspect is really where the fuel economy gets boosted. Just look at the Aptera concept. After a certain point ALL of that power is being used to move air, not the car itself.

Apparently they just rebuilt it with a new engine (it's gone through a handful of swaps) but the original engine was set on an old VW Rabbit Diesel engine. The newer 3 cylinder is smaller. The key to getting that last 40+mpg is going to be aerodynamics. The Festiva is as aerodynamic as a brick, and duct taping the panel gaps isn't reducing drag.
The aero aspect is really where the fuel economy gets boosted. Just look at the Aptera concept. After a certain point ALL of that power is being used to move air, not the car itself.
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