By Jen

Editor

Check out the Loremo, under development by a German company, which promises to get 130-150 mpg through aerodynamics and a 2-cylinder turbocharged diesel. The name stands for "Low Resistance Mobile" and a lot of its efficiency is achieved through creative weight reduction—including its bizarre entry system, which eliminates the need for the heavy mechanics of side doors. The Loremo is skipping the auto-show circuit and going straight into mass production: Europe will get a 22,000-dollar version beginning next year, and the Loremo is scheduled to hit the US—with a 3-cylinder version costing about 30 big ones—the following year. John's story on the 376 mpg Opel made the point that ultra-efficient cars aren't exactly beyond our reach. But could we really be getting a production, non-hybrid, triple-digit mpg car Stateside by 2010? See more photos after the jump, and read up at msn.

Comments

May 12, 2008 1:03:58 PM

Omg

Larry Walter
Apr 5, 2008 11:58:19 AM

I'm encouraged to see a company that's thinking along these lines. All I want is a vehicle that moves me down the road with passengers and/or cargo (perhaps more of a Subarun Baja approach?). I also want something that can accept locally produced bio-fuels as the petrol runs out. A diesel engine fits that request nicely. If it was programmed to turn off when stationary that would be even better. This wouldn't require the full complexity and weight of an additional electric motor and battery system, only a 24 volt backup to feed a robust starter mechanism. Why can't we produce something like this in America? Where's our leadership? Doesn't GM want a piece of the new wave of high efficiency (read: over 60MPG)vehicle market? Why are they pushing this goofy flex-fuel thing? Chevy's new flex-fuel Tahoe is lucky to out of the single digit MPG category. Pathetic. I guess we're keeping big Ag happy, but these babies are NOT going to fly off the lot.

radane
Mar 2, 2008 8:49:27 AM

Who will be selling this car in the USA? I want to get on there list right now.

Ted
Feb 21, 2008 8:59:50 PM

If it's anything like the Opal Speedster in GranTurismo4... God I love that little car. Made me a fortune on European circuits. Pretty cool looking little thing, too.

Ted
Feb 21, 2008 8:58:04 PM

VERY COOL. I can't wait to get one and put 18" rims on it, with 265/45 tires.

Oafman
Feb 21, 2008 1:08:29 PM

The AutoWeek magazine had a article in 2003 about a turbo diesel Opel Speedster that they tested on a oval track. Over a 24 hour period it averaged 139.9 mph. During a 1 hour test the AutoWeek drivers averaged 92MPG. This from a car meant for the track.