Automotive

Zoleco is a home-built 151 mpg concept car

Zoleco is a home-built 151 mpg concept car
Zoleco's lightweight body and drag reduction design offers a claimed 82 percent reduction in fuel consumption (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco's lightweight body and drag reduction design offers a claimed 82 percent reduction in fuel consumption (image: Zoleco)
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The Zoleco concept car is designed with ergonomic considerations and seats up to four passengers comfortably (image: Zoleco)
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The Zoleco concept car is designed with ergonomic considerations and seats up to four passengers comfortably (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco is a hand built,151 mpg concept prototype (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco is a hand built,151 mpg concept prototype (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco features a teardrop body shape and a three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco features a teardrop body shape and a three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
The Zoleco concept car is designed with ergonomic considerations and seats up to four passengers comfortably (image: Zoleco)
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The Zoleco concept car is designed with ergonomic considerations and seats up to four passengers comfortably (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco's lightweight body and drag reduction design offers a claimed 82 percent reduction in fuel consumption (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco's lightweight body and drag reduction design offers a claimed 82 percent reduction in fuel consumption (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco's lightweight body and drag reduction design offers an 82 percent reduction in fuel consumption (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco's lightweight body and drag reduction design offers an 82 percent reduction in fuel consumption (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco's mechanics features braking and thermal energy recovery technologies that conserve as much energy as possible (image: Zoleco)
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Zoleco's mechanics features braking and thermal energy recovery technologies that conserve as much energy as possible (image: Zoleco)
Canadian Zoltan Bod is a self-proclaimed "car and performance nut" (image: Zoleco)
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Canadian Zoltan Bod is a self-proclaimed "car and performance nut" (image: Zoleco)
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Canadian Zoltan Bod is a self-proclaimed "car and performance nut" who has built his very own, very efficient, 151 mpg (1.56 L/100 km) concept car. Dubbed Zoleco (which merges part of Bod's name with the word "eco"), it is designed with ergonomic considerations and seats up to four passengers comfortably. It also features a teardrop body shape and a three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, along with thermal and braking energy recovery technologies, that conserve as much energy as possible. The result is a sporty and eco-friendly car that we're told is fun to drive.

Bod's passion for mechanics started at the age of 14, when he built his first three-wheeled go-kart for scooting around the farm. At 18 he began a three-year project to create a radical custom hot rod pickup out of a 1950 A40 Austin, which won first place in 1979 at the Pacific National Exhibition car show. Since then, Bod has been dedicated to his love of speed and mechanics, and has been involved with many automotive restorations. "Now I reached a point in my life where I am compelled to focus all my experience into creating a car that is exciting to look at and to drive," he says. "All the while knowing that the energy management abilities that it possesses are helping to point the way to a sustainable future."

According to Bod, the Zoleco's lightweight body and drag reduction design offers an 82 percent reduction in fuel consumption over your typical small car with the same engine. "All indications are that the Zoleco will require 8.2 hp to maintain 65 mph [104 km/h]," says Bod. "Taking a look at it from a Bonneville Salt Flat perspective, indications are that the 80hp available with the baseline engine could feasibly push the Zoleco to just over 145 mph [233 km/h] with minimal wind noise."

Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)
Zoleco is a home built 151 mpg concept car (image: Zoleco)

Bod is currently fine-tuning the current technologies of the prototype, whilst also looking into creating an advanced cylinder head configuration. This is all with the hope of building "production cars that will surpass the original proof of concept's energy conserving achievements" he says.

In the meantime, he is also considering the possibility of selling a homebuilt kit for those that want a hands-on and cost-effective way of acquiring their very own Zoleco.

View gallery - 12 images
31 comments
31 comments
socalboomer
It\'s interesting, and not un-pretty, but I seriously doubt that it fits the definition of \"car\" when talking about collision protection, crumple zones, etc. - all those things that are required of a car and which force at least some of the shape out of the pretty aerodynamics that the engineers want. . .
Chuck Anziulewicz
Very \"retro-chic!\"
Zoltan Bod
Thank you Gizmag for running this Zoleco article!
In reply to socalboomer.....during the entire idea and design phase of this venture my mind has tried to be aware of the scope and complexities involved in building a car.The result is a car that seats four,is aerodynamically shaped...and will have built in crush zones tied into the full perimeter(caged)space frame.The intention is to offer crash servivability for the passengers so they can carry on enjoying their eco exotic sports car.
Matt Walsh-Sarnecki
in most states This is not a \"car\" it would be a \"Motorcycle\" Thus Requireing a Motorcycle License and Helmet. But still id drive it.
BombR76
This makes an Aptera look like an albatross !!!
A T-Rex is enclosed with a roll-cage and does not require a helmet in most locales however it may require a motorcycle license, or not.
So did Zoltan Bod enter the Progressive X-Prize?
Womp
I\'m guessing the \"fun\" part in driving it is trying to get it over speed humps.
Bill Bennett
sweet to see Zoltan reply to questions about his car here on Gizmag, I believe that is the second time that I have seen the creator of a product to post, how can I sign up for more info on this car Zoltan? what is the top speed and range?
Mr Stiffy
Nice to see a decent car that suits a tight arse like me.
Be tight arse I don't mean "mean spirited" - I mean I rather get the most efficient use out of a resource, than to be wasteful.
A 1.5 liter per 100K fuel consumption, compared to an average ???? sedan getting say 10 - 15 liters per 100K - it means that someone is thinking right, while the rest of the corporate stupids are turning out gas guzzling "me-tooism" boxes for the masses.
Kudos for significant smarts and thoughtful design.
Mirmillion
Canadian Eh? No surprise. Excellent design and specs - Nice Work!
beergas
Reminds me of first college car. 3 cylinder black Saab back in 1967. Doors opened in European old car \'backward\' style. Lawnmower principle of a can of oil per fill up. Got about 25 mph in Manhattan flats. Back of it had a lold down rear seat so could act like a station wagon for long painting stretchers. Real eye catcher.
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