Imagine Driving Halfway Across the Country on a Single Tank of Gas -- These Vehicles Make that Dream a Possibility

MARSHALL, MI--June 8, 2011: Rising gas prices once again are in the headlines as the summer travel season begins. Based on this fact, it's certain that the collegiate teams in SAE International's Supermileage competition could be the envy of many drivers across the nation. Why? Because their vehicles can achieve a fuel efficiency of more than 2,000 miles per gallon (mpg).

These vehicles will be featured in the event which will be held June 9-10 at the Eaton Corporation Marshall Proving Grounds in Marshall, Mich.

Hosted by Eaton Corporation since its inception nearly 30 years ago as a way to generate public awareness in the area of fuel economy, the Supermileage competition offers a simple yet challenging goal: to build a one-person, fuel-efficient vehicle based around a small, four-cycle engine. (Engines are donated by Briggs & Stratton). In this competition the highest mpg average over a 9.6 mile course wins the event.

More than 30 collegiate teams are entered in this year's competition. Defending champion for the competition is Universite' Laval, Quebec, Canada, with a fuel economy of 2,340 mpg and a total score of 2,620.

Event schedule:

Thursday, June 9
10 a.m. -- Technical inspection opens in truck garage
1 p.m. -- Track opens for practice for vehicles approved through technical inspection only
4 p.m. -- Track closes for practice
4:30 p.m. -- Technical inspection closes

Friday, June 10
9 a.m. -- Vehicle runs begin on track
5 p.m. -- Last vehicle run begins

Supermileage is part of SAE International's Collegiate Design Series . Other competitions in the series include Baja SAE®, Clean Snowmobile Challenge , Formula SAE® and Aero Design®. SAE International's Collegiate Design Series and A World In Motion® curriculum won the National Science Foundation's prestigious 2008 Public Service Award.

Eaton's partnership with SAE International in Supermileage stems from its expansive portfolio of automotive products that deliver enhanced fuel economy ratings by improving overall and specific system efficiencies. The company also has a strong commitment to encouraging young engineers to pursue careers in the automotive industry.

SAE International is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series.