Take a Look at West Philadelphia High's Hybrid
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 03. 5.06
Shooting to national attention in the US after major news coverage, the K-1 Attack Hybrid sports car is sending a message to the major US auto manufacturers: if we can do it, why can't you? Built from a kit, it's whats under the hood that counts: and this baby is reported to have super-sport performance (0-60 in 4 seconds) at better than 50mpg. What these kids are up to deserves a look, so Treehugger will show you where to find out more, in case you have not been following them since our original coverage of the hybrid supercar. The local rag, Philly Inquirer, has a little more depth than CBS on the print side, but CBS offers video, after the car won a vote for more coverage. For the photo album, go to the team's own site ev team. Go Philly Go!
And in case the Philadelphia Inquirer's depressing angle on the difficulty of keeping a budget for these fantastic projects doesn't wear you out, and you are interested in a proper British rant on the hopelessness of alternative fuels in the face of government tax policies, take a look at our source:
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- Can Obama's Monster Limo Be a Hybrid? Yes It Can!
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Does anyone know what kit they used for the body? I'd love put a Jetta TDI engine in that body.
"The West Philly squad's car is based on a kit called the Attack, made by K-1 Engineering, based in Serbia and Montenegro."
http://www.k1-styling.sk/menu.php
These kits are easily available in SoCal.
There's also an important social story here. Most of the kids involved were dropouts, rejects, and discipline problems. The focus this project provided put most of them back on the right path. The Philly Enquirer article also points out how vocational programs like the kind that spawned this car are disappearing from schools. (The school board tried to squash this product.) Where's the "VH-1 Save the Mechanics" charity fundraiser at?
Thanks for the information!
RE: To Anonymous
The kids DID put a VW TDI (Diesel) engine in that car.
That's how they got 50 m.p.g.!
That's great to see! The unfortunate reality is that much of the performance highlights come from the simple benefit of high power to low weight ratio, which with today's NHTSA requirements for mass produced cars make it nearly impossible to build low weight cars. The lightest weight passenger car a major manufacturer can build ends up being similar to the Honda Insight.
Would a car built from this kit be street legal? If it is, I'm seriously going to consider it...
Has anyone estimated if regulation weight version, with a full passenger compartment and safety configuration would get above average mileage?
There's probably more to this story than meets the headline.
It really is uncommon to see high school students receive such large amounts of press for something pretty much they solely seem to take credit for.
Teachers downplayed their role in the involvment of the project obviously realizing the potential media coverage it could receive and receiving such headlines from bbc as detroit high school makes more efficient vehicles than those made by homegrown companies such as ford, gm.
Considering Japan is leading automotive industry rather than U.S. it comes to mind that this might of been more of a political message by sum bright teachers at the school and using their students to carry the message to the hearts and wallets of our consumers and corporate hanchos.
thanks ,
thanks paul
The K1 is an awesome kit car! I have personally built one using a modified Honda Accord as the doner car. K1 is no longer selling the kit, but you may find a kit or two left over by someone who ordered it but never got around to build it. Total out of pocket for an Attack (if you build it yourself) including everything you need to go from crate to road, would set you back around $22-$25K US. Modified or more hi-performance versions will set you closer to the $30K mark. FYI: One sold on eBay for close to $50K so YES they have a high resale value, when built right.
I'm really curious what sort of kit car I could get on a budget, but still get that sort of milage? 20-25k is really too much. If it were down in the 10-15k range, I'd seriously consider it.
I hate them, magnificent bastards...
Not sure if anybody is still reading this post, but if so, it seems that is has been submitted to digg. If you want to vote for it:
Here is the place to do so.
First thing, we aren't rejects and not even close. We are one of the brightest but never had the chance or funding to ever do something to impact the world. I am part of the team that built this car.. i am actually the co-captain, and i joined the team in sept. 2005. Email for any questions and i hope for a follow-up =). Email back anytime. I am an 18 year old asian male student at Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering( the school's name that built the hybrid K-1 Attack). email me at: joepakz@yahoo.com
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ed. note: Joseph, Treehugger is honored to have your personal viewpoint. TH tries not to suppress comments we get, positive or negative, unless they are really out of line. I hope your response will teach us all to be more sensitive.
We won the 2006 tour de sol and marginally. I am the co-captain of the Electric Vehicle team and also the only asian member. We plan to improve this vehicle for the next year's tour de sol race and pull around 350hp with the help of an electric motor and get close to 80mpg. any questions email me at joepakz@yahoo.com ty very much. bye
The Body Looks Like The Lotus Elise VVTI 1.9Ltr.. Im Sure Thats The Body..
recent who have also dyno'd a new project car at AWE Tuning. For more information email me at JoePak1@gmail.com.
the video is viewable on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQBIyrVlozY
ty for your time
TY TreeHuggers for the support and viewable opinions.