Supples’ Pub

For those not familiar with the term, hypermiling refers to optimizing how a car is driven to maximize fuel efficiency, with the goal being to exceed EPA ratings. There are entire discussion forums dedicated to the process, which can means as little as using the throttle more sparingly to taping off grills and wheels in attempts to make the car more aerodynamic.

This is just great - hypermiling a 5.4L supercharged V8. In fact, the other day I played a similar game. Taking a back road home to avoid traffic, I tried my best to maximize fuel economy through a slew of stoplights. Shifting at about 2000 RPM and skipping gears, I managed to get about 18 MPG indicated even with a few hard throttle inputs. Not bad for a 15 MPG 2008 EPA rating

Anyway, the driver here did pretty well, given the GT’s 12 MPG 2008 EPA rating.

As congestion eased, the best technique for fuel economy was to borrow what the GM engineers worked out for the Corvette Z06 — give it just a pinch of gas, and skip across the gearbox from first to fourth to sixth. In sixth at 55 mph, the GT’s 5.4-liter V8 chugs along at a meager 1,200 rpm. The result? 17 mpg!

Supercar Hypermiling Day 1: Ford GT