Dream Prius (aerodynamic mod exercise for 2nd gen.)

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by artistdr

It is photo-shopped ( we all know this) and it has a major design flaw in the front end design. You loose a lot of aerodynamics with the air directed under the car. The point needs to be near the ground as with basjoos design. I understand this is only in an idea stage, but that point will need addressing.

In any event, this is a very interesting thought and discussion.

artistdr,It's a good point.I was surprised that funneling air under the CRX was a no-no,even with the belly pan.I ended up dropping the nose as low as real life driving would allow,and it showed up,both in increased speed and mpg.

[Massage4Life]

Originally Posted by .Cd

G.M. crushed it.

.Cd.

What do you mean "G.M. crushed it? They wont let him change the prius??

[SVOboy]

Originally Posted by Massage4Life

.Cd.

What do you mean "G.M. crushed it? They wont let him change the prius??

I think he's just making a joke on GM's old EV1, which they physically crushed.

Welcome to ecomodder!

[akcapeco]

Yes, GM crushed the EV, leading to the movie "Who killed the Electric Car," hence the joking about "Who Crushed the Aero Dream Prius."

[bestmapman]

I think Uncle Sam crushed the Dream Prius. The work is stalled until more money comes in.

[wyatt]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

I think Uncle Sam crushed the Dream Prius. The work is stalled until more money comes in.

If you want to start work on your own, there is a cheap method to do your own fiberglass construction. This is the construction method used in lots of prototypes and such, since it's inexpensive and it doesn't use nearly as much foam insulation as the "stack up" method like the aero-bike teams seem to favor. I am sure if you watched your p's and q's, you could do a first cut version for under $500, which is less than the $600 Uncle Sam gave you back this year (remember, he didn't give it to you, he gave it back to you). It's worth looking into, and it is how I think I will be making my aeromods.

[bestmapman]

Thanks. Great link.

[Druid]

Any of you peeps see the bit about the BMW proto using flexible body material? A frame of Al or steel with hypalon or cheeper PVC cloth like the whitewater rafts are made of would be easy to fab. My wife's Prius is my target after 2 more years. (Warranty out).

[trikkonceptz]

Yes that BMW proto is amazing and only begs the question;

When will we see vehicles that can modify their shape to accomodate aero drag at higher speeds? Hell they have spoilers that do it now, image a rear end that opens up to a boat tail at speeds higher than 60 then retract to a small version for city driving in order to maintain efficiency ..

[Tourigjm]

i just watched the GINA video from BMW... I will own one before I die

the thing freakin winked at me!?!?!