Quote:
Originally Posted by Billzilla
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Brilliant concept. I was astonished looking at the picture of this because it's exactly what I'd envisaged for the 100 mpg car I've designed only this takes the weight saving and aerodynamics even further. I'd come up with a realistic and cheap to manufacture steel and aluminium 1500 lbs vehicle with a 15 square foot frontal area, passenger or luggage sitting behind driver and a very achievable Cd of 0.26. Engine would be a 40 bhp direct injection diesel for 125 mpg at 60 mph or a similar powered petrol one for less weight and cost but about 100 mpg at 60 mph.
Top speed would be 100 mph with 0-60 in 17 seconds. Enough to easily keep up with other traffic. Cost would be no more than any other cheap small car.
Running the calcs for the VW I get 275 mpg at 60 mph so their claims seem spot on. The cost of getting down from 1500 lbs to 660 lbs is extreme though. Not worth the extra fuel saving IMO.
I was contemplating writing a series of articles in here on the design and maths for economy vehicles (or any vehicle really) and how to calculate their mpg with a simple spreadsheet as you change the design parameters. If there's enough demand I'll do it.
Dave