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The blueprint for a practical highway commuter car:
Tadpole trike layout with front wheel drive, 250cc turbo-diesel and a six-speed + reverse
motorcycle transmission. Three wheels mean less cost and rolling resistance, turbo-diesel the highest efficiency available now. Tandem reclined seating for a 250# driver, 175# passenger and a small trunk over the rear wheel. Narrow body with aero struts going out to faired front wheels. Tires/wheels to be the new Michelin "tweel" with no air, so no spare needed. External mirrors to be tiny, augmented by internal ones.
Options: "Automatic" transmission is the same manual with solenoid shifting. For people who also drive many urban miles, a small pneumatic hybrid system that uses regen braking for a single acceleration and engine restart only, by injecting air into the diesel motor. All power options like brakes and steering to carry hefty taxes to offset their future energy costs. A/C optional, heater standard.
The only thing that will allow it to be a success would be the Feds advertising the true cost of fuel, and announcing that all subsidies keeping it below that price at the pump will be eliminated over a five year timeline.
Of course that isn't going to happen. Had a glimmer of hope when the only presidential
candidate of three front-runners that didn't promise gas rebates for last summer actually won the election. Big Oil still owns too much of the legislature for real immediate change.
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