Article published November 03, 2009
Napoleon inventor to tell how his V8 gets 109 mpg
Doug Pelmear continues to refine his technology for even greater efficiency and is preparing a factory in which to build engines.
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THE BLADE
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By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
Inventor Doug Pelmear plans at an automotive products convention in Las Vegas Tuesday to reveal how the custom engine he built and installed in a Ford Mustang has averaged 109.7 miles per gallon for 22,000 miles.
As he did last year, Mr. Pelmear left his home in Napoleon, Ohio, last week to drive his Mustang out to the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show, which starts today and runs through Friday in the Las Vegas Hilton.
His automobile is one of about 100 displays in the show's second annual "Making Green Cool" zone, said John Waraniak, the trade group's vice president for vehicle technology.
Mr. Pelmear has not publicly disclosed the technology behind his design, saying that he was awaiting submission of his patent applications before he would show or explain how his engine works. His mileage claim has not been verified by independent third-party testing, although his vehicle and engine have undergone emissions testing.
A document on Mr. Pelmear's Web site dated June 30 from Perrysburg attorney J. Douglas Miller indicates that Mr. Pelmear has filed patent applications for his inventions. But the applications do not show up in searches through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site. Mr. Miller yesterday verified the contents of the letter.
The appearance at the automotive show this week is the latest display by Mr. Pelmear's company, hp2g.com, of his black Mustang. In addition to last year's show, he also displayed the car in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.In a discussion last month with The Blade, Mr. Pelmear said he has continued to refine the design of his hand-built engine and other portions of the vehicle to wring out even greater fuel efficiency. He also said he has installed other copies of his V-8 engine in different test vehicles with similar increases in fuel efficiency.
"We're looking down the road at other size engines and designs," he said.
He is tooling up a factory in Wauseon to "hand build" copies of his engine for a new four-door sedan, the Revenge Verde, which is to make its debut in January at the auto show in Detroit. He has about a dozen employees, he said, and is working with students and faculty at Northwest State Community College to construct models of his design.
Although Mr. Pelmear has repeatedly grabbed attention as he sought to promote his engine design and technologies, he is far from alone in trying to revolutionize how and what America drives. Indeed, in just the last few years, automakers have introduced advancements to their vehicles - such as Ford Motor Co.'s Ecoboost engine or Fiat SpA's multi-air technology - that have significantly improved fuel economy.
Mr. Warniak, of the Specialty Equipment trade group, said, "The whole idea is to demonstrate that horsepower and green power can coexist."
Contact Larry P. Vellequette at:
lvellequette@theblade.com
or 419-724-6091.
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