Mustang Takes Challenge, Gets 48.5mpg and 1,457 Bristol Laps on 1 Tank

In brief: The Ford Mustang V6 Has achieved 48.5mpg and completed 1,457 laps around Bristol on a single tank of gas in the self-imposed Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge.

Vehicle in the news

Make/Model: Mustang
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Co

The word

The 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 turned heads a few months ago when EPA testing came back to confirm 31mpg highway for the 305hp "regular man's sports car." Now it's proven it in the real world with a 48.5mpg average at Bristol.

During the 1,000 Lap Challenge, Ford asked contest entrants to guess how many laps the Mustang would go before running out of gas. Of 51,000 entries, 22 guessed the 1,457 total correctly. One of those 22 correct guesses will be randomly drawn to win their own 2011 Mustang V-6.

The record run was completed by five drivers, including Ford's David Ragan of NASCAR.

The original goal was 1,000 laps (hence the name) on one tank using a stock Mustang. Efficient driving techniques by the team, however, surpassed this by nearly 50%.

And so ...

Ford shows that gasoline engines can be much more efficient and the car doesn't have to look entirely stupid to do it.

Photo credits: Ford