Quote:
Originally Posted by Shepherd777
The next one below is the one I have been currently building since 2009. It should be ready for initial testing next month.
The SuperTruck is the current prototype being built. The FutureTruck is a possible next-generation version if we get (a lot) of funding. All the air gaps between the tractor and the trailer and the complete perimeter ground effects are dynamic and are shown in their deployed state.
The SuperTruck will have a different boat-tail design than shown here. That one in the CFD screen-shot is 3 years old. Also, the SuperTruck prototype has full skirts on the tractor, unlike the old SolidWorks model shown above. |
Wonderful, I've been dreaming of stuff like this for 30 years, came up with this particular concept below about 20 years ago, made the clay truck model about 10 years ago.
Industrial Design pictures by kach22i - Photobucket
Not being a truck driver, but having grown up near the busiest truck intersection in the world I was very concerned about visibility in tight urban areas.
The helicopter influenced design (+ some Ferrari Testarossa - no side vanes in clay model) has been collecting dust for quite a while. The twin radiators I had in mind, plus the driver in a car-like seating position may not pass the test, but this was all for fun.
I'll admit to having a childhood memory of something pre-Luigi Colani perhaps in the back of my mind from the mid-1970's, but I've never been able to find my muse again, so it was not copied in any way.
I've drawn things similar to Shepherd777's design, but just cannot get past the visibility thing (to see the front corners). Then again, I suppose it's no worse than an old long hood Peterbilt, right?