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XR3 Motors 3 Wheel Trike Delivers 225 mpg, May Go Into Production Soon

XR3 Motors 3 Wheel Trike Delivers 225 mpg, May Go Into Production Soon

Eric Loveday June 30th, 2009 Eric Loveday By Eric Loveday Author June 30th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 XR3 Motors believes that their three wheeled trike that achieves a claimed 225 mpg could be headed to production soon. XR3 Motors, led by alternative vehicle veteran of 30 years Robert Q. Riley, has created the XR3, a plug-in hybrid that combines low weight with a diesel engine and a lithium-ion battery pack to achieve excellent gas mileage. The vehicle can operate in one of several modes.  It can use the diesel engine only, the electric motor only, or can use both simultaneously.  The user manually selects what setting he or she desires and each mode has different mpg ratings. When using its 23 hp diesel engine, the XR3 returns up to 125 mpgs.  When using the electric motor, it can run 40 miles without using a drop of gas.  Through some tricky math, it gives a combined rating of 225 mpgs when half the mileage is covered by the diesel engine and the other half is covered by the electric motor. Both drivetrains are independent of one another with no mechanical connection.  The diesel engine powers the two rear wheels and the electric motor powers the lone front wheel.  The vehicle is technically a hybrid through the connection of the two powertains through the asphalt it rolls on. The vehicle is an example of true simplicity.  Indeed it uses no computers throughout the power system and makes do with a simple $10 throttle integrator which is patent pending.  According to Riley, "It works better than my wildest dreams." No production date is set at this point, but the company hopes to bring the XR3 to market. Source:  Edmunds
XR3 Motors Trike

XR3 Motors Trike

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XR3 Motors believes that their three wheeled trike that achieves a claimed 225 mpg could be headed to production soon.

XR3 Motors, led by alternative vehicle veteran of 30 years Robert Q. Riley, has created the XR3, a plug-in hybrid that combines low weight with a diesel engine and a lithium-ion battery pack to achieve excellent gas mileage.

The vehicle can operate in one of several modes.  It can use the diesel engine only, the electric motor only, or can use both simultaneously.  The user manually selects what setting he or she desires and each mode has different mpg ratings.

When using its 23 hp diesel engine, the XR3 returns up to 125 mpgs.  When using the electric motor, it can run 40 miles without using a drop of gas.  Through some tricky math, it gives a combined rating of 225 mpgs when half the mileage is covered by the diesel engine and the other half is covered by the electric motor.

Both drivetrains are independent of one another with no mechanical connection.  The diesel engine powers the two rear wheels and the electric motor powers the lone front wheel.  The vehicle is technically a hybrid through the connection of the two powertains through the asphalt it rolls on.

The vehicle is an example of true simplicity.  Indeed it uses no computers throughout the power system and makes do with a simple $10 throttle integrator which is patent pending.  According to Riley, "It works better than my wildest dreams."

No production date is set at this point, but the company hopes to bring the XR3 to market.

Source:  Edmunds

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Comments (5 total)

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  1. By Jason M. Hendler #1, Posted: 6/30/2009

    I hate the fuzzy math approach to mileage in hybrids. Simply give the all electric range first, 40m, then give the mileage when the engine is running, 125 mpg, for a rating of 40m / 125 mpg, and leave it at that. People can do their own math to determine the "mileage" in their own commute.

  2. By  jrup #2, Posted: 6/30/2009

    Sadly, the article is fuzzy with regard to the number of passengers, too. It looks like a single seat transport. Aptera 2e/h seems to offer twice the economy and twice the passengers (plus a cargo compartment) - not to mention that it is already in production, starting at $25K, another thing XR3 does not address. Nevertheless, we can use all the competition we can handle, so bring it on!

  3. By Noel Park #3, Posted: 6/30/2009

    I hate to say it, but it looks like the 2 wheels are in the front, and the single wheel in the rear. Isn't that the steering wheel on the left side of the open cockpit area?
    I wonder if Mr. Loveday can tell us if it is a 1 or 2 seater? It looks to me like it might be wide enough for 2, but I wouldn't presume to say that jrup is wrong. If that's the steering wheel, it does look pretty centered though, doesn't it.

  4. By Bob Koch #4, Posted: 7/2/2009

    It is a two seat car. Yes there are two wheels in front. The Steering wheel pulls down from the center once the driver is in the left hand seat. In this fashion the steering wheel can break away in a head on crash and not impale the driver.

  5. By Mark Coffin #5, Posted: 10/20/2009

    You're right, it has 2 front wheels, and 1 rear, and yes, the rear wheel (1) is powered by an electric motor, and the front wheels (2) are powered by a small diesel engine.
    If you are interested in further information, log onto Yahoo groups and join the XR3 group at
    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/xr3car
    You will find that the car can be built from plans (available from Mr. Riley's website) and some are not too far from roadworthy already.
    Come join in the fun.

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