100mpg Axon Automotive X Prize entry gets funding

Last year Axon Automotive, creators of 2007’s Eco-M super lightweight speedster, entered the $10 million Automotive X Prize with a new hatchback aimed at city dwellers. The vehicle features a full carbon-fiber chassis and will likely be powered by a compact turbodiesel engine. Today the company revealed it has secured funding to move forward with construction of that vehicle. The UK's Technology Strategy Board, which has previously funded advanced technology projects at Jaguar and Land Rover, among others, provided £2 million ($2.9 million) to Axon for construction of the hatchback.