3,145 mpg

UBC Engineers Create Vehicle that Travels from Vancouver to Halifax on a Gallon of Gas (via Slashdot)

"We achieved this level of efficiency by optimizing many aspects of the vehicle design, including: aerodynamics, light-weight construction, a small displacement engine (54 cc), and conservative driving habits," says Team Captain Kevin Li.

The UBC design, which required the driver to lie down while navigating it, achieved 3,145 miles per US gallon (0.074 litres/100 km) -- equivalent of Vancouver to Halifax on a gallon (3.79 litres) of gas -- costing less than $5 at the pump.

I don't see anywhere in the article, or on the Supermileage website, how fast the car goes, though. I'm guessing 5 mph...

This ridiculous number reminds me of another ridiculous number I heard the other day--Mom sent me this article:

Researchers Say New Chip Breaks Speed Record

The researchers, using a cryogenic test station, achieved the speed milestone by "freezing" the chip to 451 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, using liquid helium. That temperature, normally found only in outer space, is just nine degrees above absolute zero, or the temperature at which all movement is thought to cease.

At 500 gigahertz, the technology is 250 times faster than chips in today's cellphones, which operate at 2 gigahertz. At room temperature, the chips operate at 350 gigahertz, far faster than other chips in commercial use today.