Acceleration and Stopping Trials Demonstrate the "Get-Up and Go" Of Competitors at The Michelin Challenge Bibendum

FONTANA, Calif., Oct. 27 -- For the first time in North America, vehicles competing in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum took to the track to demonstrate the performance capabilities of cleaner, greener automotive technologies. A field of 49 vehicles demonstrated the ability of the various technologies and fuel sources in the acceleration and stopping trials.

``This is without a doubt the most impressive field of environmentally positive vehicles ever assembled in one place,'' said Dennis Swan, the event's Director of Competition. ``The results of today's trials give us some real insight into the performance capabilities of clean cars today and the potential for tomorrow.''

For full details on how the acceleration and stopping tests were conducted and scored, log on to www.challengebibendum.com and click on the Rules and Procedures. Or, take a moment now to ... .

Ask Bibendum about the acceleration and stopping tests

Q. What does the acceleration test measure?

A. The acceleration test measures the time it takes for the vehicle go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

Q. What does the stopping test measure?

A. The stopping test measures the distance it takes for the vehicle to stop completely from a sustained speed of 60 miles per hour.

Q. How are the tests performed?

A. The driver accelerates from a stop to 60mph. An audible beep signals the driver when a speed of 60 mph has been reached. At that signal the driver stops accelerating. As the vehicle slows to 60 mph, a second audible signal sounds, telling the driver to begin stopping his vehicle as quickly as possible. Each participant has three chances to produce two valid runs. The average of the results from the two runs is the driver's score. ``High-tech'' CORRSYS-DATRONTM optical fifth wheel equipment is used to measure the results.

Q. Who determined the procedures for the acceleration and stopping tests?

A. The procedures for measuring acceleration and stopping were developed by the Automobile Club of Southern California and are based on the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Vehicle Acceleration and Stopping Measurement Procedure. For a complete explanation of the acceleration testing, visit www.challengebibendum.com and click on The Challenge Bibendum Rules and Procedures.

Q. What do the designations A, B, C and D stand for in the reporting of the results?

A. These letters represent ranges of performance where A is the highest performance level, then B and so on. These ranges are based on widely accepted tests, commonly used by auto manufacturers, automotive publications, testing labs and government agencies in the United States.

Q. What are the factors that affect acceleration?

A. There are many. The total weight of the vehicle, torque and horsepower, as well as the driver's skill are the main factors in acceleration. For this reason, the vehicles are grouped into three categories: sub-compact/compact, mid-size/full size, and Lt. Truck/Van/SUV. Thus, the comparisons are more meaningful because we see how like-sized vehicles with different fuel and power generating sources perform. Stopping distance is also affected by weight and, of course the size and the quality of the tires, brakes, rotors and pads. Generally speaking, larger brakes and tires are more efficient. For non-ABS equipped vehicles, the driver's skill is also important. Other factors affecting acceleration time and stopping distance are environmental/weather conditions and road conditions.