Quote:
Originally Posted by jimepting
The Honda Dream 2 is a motorcycle, so that doesn't seem a particularly applicable comparison. It may have a Cd of 0.10 by itself but with an upright rider that seems doubtful. The GM Sunraycer is a pure teardrop PV research car, far less practical than an Insight for everyday use. I like modding as much as the next guy -did a lot of it on an Echo. But from my viewpoint, whatever is done must be practical from an everyday use viewpoint and cannot permantently damage my valuable car. So, I suppose my objectives are a bit different from those interested in pure research.
Still, I'm an engineer and would love to have a workspace to build an Insight tail for testing purposes. I think an attractive and practical Kamm back extension could be built using this technology:
Using Fiberglass/Foam Sandwich Composite
Front wheel fairings would seem attractive, but if one carefully studies the details of what Honda has already done, improvements may be only slight. Wheels which are already pretty smooth, front wheel stakes, aerodynamically shaped openings at wheel rear. Taking on the disadvantages of movable fairings for potentially small improvement doesn't seem very practical. |
The Honda Dream 2 is a 3-wheeled solar race car based on the GM/AeroVironment Sunraycer,which demonstrates an actual vehicle of sub-Cd 0.10.------------------------As the popularity of dead soldiers,Marines,airmen,special-forces personnel,contractors,etc.,has passed from vogue now,some are looking at un-practical solutions to separate the western developed nations from Mesopotamian petroleum and the danger it poses for those reliant upon it.--------------- Un-practical,low-Cd vehicles are a natural candidate for weening oneself from this Middle-East teat.---------------------- The Insight is one of the best candidates among the stable for streamlining,as it has demonstrated the highest mpg of any car ever offered for sale and is already configured for the boat tail,the only modification which can produce significant drag reduction.----------- I'm not lost to "length" issues,which is why I am personally leaning towards a trailer unit as a "practical" solution.In this context,movable gap-fillers constitute a 20% drag reduction and 10% mpg improvement alone,and practical or not,will remain on the plate.