Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > General Efficiency Discussion
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 03-26-2017, 04:41 PM   #1 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
New Lotus Elise adds MORE lightness: new benchmark of 1759 lbs (798 kg)



In recent news from the "Always Room for Improvement" department...

If you're tired of driving around in a portly Mitsubishi Mirage (2,018 lbs base 2017 5-speed U.S. model), overweight last gen. Metro (~1800-1850 lbs?), or fat-cat 1st generation Insight (1878 lbs), Lotus has your car.

They managed to shave 90 lbs from an already featherweight 1,849 lb car, and in doing so created a "Sprint" special edition:

Quote:
  • the battery, now replaced with a new lightweight lithium-ion pack that sheds around 20 pounds.
  • open shifter (1.1 pounds),
  • carbon fiber race seats (13 pounds),
  • polycarbonate materials for the access panel, roll hoop cover, and engine cover, saving another 13 pounds.
  • optional two-piece brake rotors cut another nine pounds,
  • new wheel design saves an additional 11 pounds
Lotus Elise Somehow Sheds 90 Pounds for New Sprint Special Edition - Motor Trend

They only half-followed Chapman's philosophy though, because I don't think most of those mods count as "simplifying" to add lightness.

This news made me feel like such a slacker: it reminded me I've been driving my Firefly for ~11 years with rear factory speakers that have never even been hooked up. Together they might weigh 3 lbs? Think of the cumulative fuel and performance penalty!

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2017-Lotus-Elise-Sprint-Front-Three-Quarters.jpg
Views:	853
Size:	111.2 KB
ID:	21408  
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to MetroMPG For This Useful Post:
COcyclist (04-01-2017), oldtamiyaphile (03-26-2017), redpoint5 (03-26-2017)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 03-26-2017, 07:46 PM   #2 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,175

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 269
Thanked 3,522 Times in 2,796 Posts
Sounds like it not just sprung weight, they did a good job reducing rotating mass too.
__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 09:27 PM   #3 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
It's darned impressive, that's for sure.

But now I've read a Green Car Congress report that says the numbers are for "dry weight".

Green Car Congress: New Lotus Elise drops even more weight; Sprint edition at 798 kg

Still impressive.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 10:30 PM   #4 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,175

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 269
Thanked 3,522 Times in 2,796 Posts
I worked with a guy at Langley up until 2008 he had a lotus that was fairly new at the time. Said the gas tank was up front and it was dangerous to drive when it was raining and when it's gas got below less than half a tank.
__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 10:46 PM   #5 (permalink)
Eco Sol
 
Shortie771's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Paradise, TX
Posts: 343
Thanks: 24
Thanked 88 Times in 52 Posts
Sure it sexy. That thing makes my Del Sol seem like a tank by comparison... In looks and weight
__________________




Best Tank = 42.72 mpg (in the 94 Del Sol)

CR-Z Current Mods:
Max Sidewall PSI
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 02:17 AM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Stubby79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,747

Firefly EV - '98 Pontiac Firefly EV
90 day: 107.65 mpg (US)

Little Boy Blue - '05 Toyota Echo
90 day: 33.35 mpg (US)

BlueZ - '19 Nissan 370Z Sport
90 day: 17.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 576 Times in 426 Posts
I still won't be able to afford one, no matter how much they take off the car.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Stubby79 For This Useful Post:
MetroMPG (03-27-2017)
Old 03-27-2017, 02:33 AM   #7 (permalink)
Eco-ventor
 
jakobnev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: sweden
Posts: 1,630

Princess - '92 Mazda MX-3 GS
House of Tudor
Team Mazda
90 day: 53.54 mpg (US)

Shirubāarō (*´ω`*) - '05 Toyota Prius Executive
Team Toyota
90 day: 54.88 mpg (US)

Blue Thunder - '20 Hyundai IONIQ Trend PHEV
Team Hyundai
Plug-in Hybrids
90 day: 587.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 74
Thanked 701 Times in 444 Posts
Send a message via MSN to jakobnev
It's like lady's underwear: You pay more for less!
__________________




2016: 128.75L for 1875.00km => 6.87L/100km (34.3MPG US)
2017: 209.14L for 4244.00km => 4.93L/100km (47.7MPG US)
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to jakobnev For This Useful Post:
MetroMPG (03-27-2017)
Old 03-27-2017, 11:02 AM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
oldtamiyaphile's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,510

UFI - '12 Fiat 500 Twinair
Team Turbocharged!
90 day: 40.3 mpg (US)

Jeep - '05 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
90 day: 18.09 mpg (US)

R32 - '89 Nissan Skyline

STiG - '16 Renault Trafic 140dCi Energy
90 day: 30.12 mpg (US)

Prius - '05 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 50.25 mpg (US)

Premodded - '49 Ford Freighter
90 day: 13.48 mpg (US)

F-117 - '10 Proton Arena GLSi
Pickups
Mitsubishi
90 day: 37.82 mpg (US)

Ralica - '85 Toyota Celica ST
90 day: 25.23 mpg (US)

Sx4 - '07 Suzuki Sx4
90 day: 32.21 mpg (US)

F-117 (2) - '03 Citroen Xsara VTS
90 day: 30.06 mpg (US)
Thanks: 325
Thanked 452 Times in 319 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
This news made me feel like such a slacker: it reminded me I've been driving my Firefly for ~11 years with rear factory speakers that have never even been hooked up. Together they might weigh 3 lbs? Think of the cumulative fuel and performance penalty!
Factory speakers are super flimsy, usually less than a pound for the pair I'd guess, so don't feel too bad
__________________






  Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 11:42 AM   #9 (permalink)
Eco Sol
 
Shortie771's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Paradise, TX
Posts: 343
Thanks: 24
Thanked 88 Times in 52 Posts
When I see cars like this though, it makes me think... Hmm what could I do to my car with $42k (cost of Elise) instead of spending it on that. Heck I would run out of ideas after the first $15k and end up dropping the remaining $27k on the house.

I guess that's why these car manufacturers don't market themselves towards people like me.
__________________




Best Tank = 42.72 mpg (in the 94 Del Sol)

CR-Z Current Mods:
Max Sidewall PSI
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2017, 01:47 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,209
Thanks: 225
Thanked 811 Times in 594 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shortie771 View Post
When I see cars like this though, it makes me think... Hmm what could I do to my car with $42k (cost of Elise) instead of spending it on that.
Yet it's easily possible to spend that much - even twice that much - on an fancy oversized, overweight "handles like a waterbed" pickup or SUV.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com