The Red Ferret Journal

The XR-3 Hybrid Kit Car is a three wheeled diesel-electric hybrid concept vehicle that will offer up 200+ mpg fuel economy and a maximum speed of 85 mph. Sure it’s a three wheeler with only two seats, but it’s still interesting. I’m calling it a concept because it looks like the project has slipped quite a bit from a planned launch earlier this year, and the idea is that the company will sell kit plans and eventually ready made vehicles. $170.00 for the standard plans, and $200.00 for the deluxe version. Meanwhile they’re busy finishing off their first proof of concept car right now.

 The XR-3 is designed as a “plug-in hybrid.” This makes it possible to drive on battery power alone on trips of about 40 miles. In other words, on short trips you never have to turn on the diesel engine. And when both the diesel and the battery-electric systems are used together, and the car is driven conservatively, fuel economy increases to over 200-mpg. Fuel economy is about 125-mpg on diesel power alone.