Practical Is

One thing that we have not talked about in depth is the practical values of the Vincitore' 1000 (VK). In this blog we will highlight these to give people something to think about regarding selection of a high MPGe automobile.

Four Doors, Four Seats, Four Wheels:

Easy access for adult passengers. (George is 6'4" tall)

Seating for four adult passengers, with comfort.

Stable platform for safe driving and sure handling.

Ample trunk space, over 10 cubic feet.

Great Diesel Performance:

Excellent economy without resorting to hypermiling techniques.

Great torque for climbing hills or pulling a load, such as a jet ski or Parade Float.

Multi Fuel capability. Fuels include Diesel, B-20 Diesel, B-100 Diesel, Veggy-Diesel and Strained Cooking Oils. Other potential fuel includes synthetic Diesel and Algae Diesel, plus many other lipid based fuel stock.

Click on link for Bio Diesel information

http://www.indianasoybean.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12&Itemid=86

Fueling in less than 5 minutes, anywhere Diesel is found. Diesel is an existing part of the national fuel infrastructure.

Click on link to view St Louis Trip

http://www.youtube.com/user/BITWTechnologies#p/u/8/7T2McLnOWSI

Long Range, the VK can travel up to 1000 miles on a tank of fuel. That means non stop until the tank is empty. Drive coast to coast with 3 fill ups.

Click link to view Nashville trip.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BITWTechnologies#p/a/u/2/dB11FHzxhV0

Reliability, Diesel engine is very simple and thus reliable. Starts easy and is ready to go quickly.

Maintenance is easy and mechanics will appreciate the drivetrain access.

Comfort:

The VK has basic accessories such as Air Conditioning, Heat and Defrost, bucket seats, radio and windows that roll down.

The VK was designed as a daily driver and has met and exceeded this role since being assembled. It is not a concept, but a reality at a cost less than $20K. As a commuter car, a fleet car or a family car, the VK can do it all. On or off road when hauling people, luggage and trailers, the VK is nothing, if not Practical!

Tell the world what you think is practical, too! Vote BITW as Most Practical!
http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/fan-favorites

School of Hard Knocks

George drives with the windows down during the city run.

Now that we have had a chance to sleep a little more than in the past 6 months, a reassessment of strategy has come about for BITW Technologies. What next, park the VK (Vincitore' 1000) for 20 years and wait for the next contest, or attack the market with some proven solutions. Being a student of General GS Patton, waiting is not the answer. If you want to get noticed, you need to be seen. We will be working on a visual marketing strategy for the next couple of months that will unleash the full fury of the internet and other media outlets. A plan will be developed and the value of the small displacement diesel will be exploited.






We have also analyzed some things that were done to the VK during the run up to the Knockout event. We found that out testing methodology has been consistent and in accordance with standards used in various industries and institutions, so we will continue to use those methods. Our competition prep has shown some weaknesses, including the event procedure. We will make better checklists and increase inspection frequency. Simple things like an inspection could have made the difference in the Knockout event, as was noted in our previous blog. Perimeter security is also something that will need to improve. It's good to show the car, but some areas should be guarded and discipline in our area maintained.








Vehicle performance is another thing that has been analyzed. The strengths of the VK are as follows:




The car is solid. It breezed through the Durability run in the shakedown. Wish there was more video of that event( There was a camera crew at the hairpin curve). No breakdown. No overheating. The VK responded to harsh driving with spirit. Ask any trackworker that saw it.








Handling is good. No problem with the accident avoidance maneuvers. The car has a full independent suspension with Kumho Solus tires on Volk Racing wheels.



Braking was good. The VK passed the braking test, although one of the videos showed the VK locking up in a stop. That was more of a human error problem.



Acceleration gave us a little trouble in the Shakedown event, but our fix answered that problem.


Range is well over 200 miles, as shown during the drive home.


Space and accessibility are excellent. Four adults can get in and out quickly, via there four doors. Plenty of trunk space.


MPGe is higher than what was obtained during the efficiency run. 99% reliability still means 1 % failure. The lack of boost cost us the run. We know what the vehicle would do in portions of the test and were disappointed with the problem. We will demonstrate the MPGe capabilities and post them.




That is a start, we are still compiling data and will continue to improve the VK and the BITW Technologies team. The data will also be used to build the next generation VK.




The events also gave us a good perspective of the variety of methods employed to improve efficiency in automobiles. Lots of neat ideas at the competition. The X-Tracer vehicles were very impressive. Ethan got to ride in the E-Tracer on Saturday. He was impressed. A few vehicles may even score spots in hollywood productions. We met a lot of very interesting people, some of whom had a lot of influence on various vehicles that we respect and admire. Very educational.