[sheepdog 44]

@ Ryland

It would be neither a delta or tadpole trike, as the center of gravity would be directly on the middle axle of vehicle but adjusted back by 100 pounds. Delta and tadpole trikes have the center of gravity within the triangle of the three wheels so their handling would be different. This is like having a tadpole trike with 85% weight directly on the front two wheels, so much like it might pitch over if you brake too hard, than bolting a copy of the trike facing backwards onto the front of it.

With symmetrical front rear weight distribution a hard turn would shift the center of gravity directly towards the out rigger wheels. Accelerating or braking would shift the CG front or back during a turn. I imagine a hard braking accident avoidance manuever would shift it the most and be more common and practical than seeing hard acceleration for an economy minded vehicle. You could change the diamond wheel config into a kite config and leave center of gravity alone. This would still give you the minimal yaw required to turn while maximizing accident avoidance. Like a 40 delta/60 tadpole trike. Yes, an inline car does have its turning wheels farther out right and left, but is it necessarily better or worse?

Say X is center of gravity and D is the direction of CG shift in a hard braking turn. The CG will shift directly to the the right wheel W maintaining balance. Take a conventional car withe the center of gravity farther forward with a front engine. The center of gravity represented as Z will shift toward the the right wheel C in the direction of the CG shift H.



.....................H
C....W....C......D
..----------..
W---Z---W
------X------
.------------.
..----------..
C. --W--.C.
.....-----.....
......---......
.......-.......

With the Center of gravity directly in the middle or optimally 60-65% to the rear both front and rear tires will have the same load or the rear tire will carry more for better acceleration and handling. Outrigger wheels will be designed to carry far less load as they neither propel nor steer but only stabilize. They will have brakes though.

Rain and snow drag for a trike i can deal with If the overall mpg in the other more common weather conditions is higher.

@ Peter

I would see aero improvements because it is better designed for the teardrop streamlining template. An example would be the VLC with its conventional inline drive requiring its four wheels to protrude outside of the teardrop frame and into oncoming wind.
I understand manufacturing and drivetrain cost issues especially for front and back wheel drive. But designing more around a motorcycle could mitigate that. Front and rear wheel electric drive would be awesome though and the platform could carry more batteries far better than a motorcycle can.
Entry and exit can be as awesome as the jetfighter like Pulse.

My biggest issue is simultaneous Front and rear wheel steering. I know its possible but would it end up making it catastrophically undriveable? I know the gyroscopically balanced motorcycle company has said they could have front and rear wheel steering if they wanted to. With outriggers maybe there could be increased tire wear if the outriggers don't naturally want to turn with the rest of the vehicle.

I actually want feedback that tells me i could be wrong or i missed something. Ecomodding is a science. If it will not scientifically improve mpg it must be discarded and new theories formed!

I searched for the study but couldn't find it. Id really like to see what they did.