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Old 05-07-2012, 12:09 PM   #4 (permalink)
basjoos
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Upstate SC
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Aerocivic - '92 Honda Civic CX
Last 3: 70.54 mpg (US)

AerocivicLB - '92 Honda Civic CX
Team Honda
90 day: 55.14 mpg (US)

Camryglide - '20 Toyota Camry hybrid LE
90 day: 65.83 mpg (US)
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Looks like a great idea for Prius C drivers who need to mix urban and highway driving (I'd assume it would be mounted on the tailgate so the tailgate could be opened to load/unload cargo while the boattail is in the retracted position). The drawback to a retracting boattail is the mechanical complexity and likely inability to use it as a cargo carrier when extended. It would also be nice to have some clear sections in the top of the telescoping segments so you don't lose total use of your rear view window.

You could also build a non-telescoping, cargo holding (presumably less expensive) version of your boattail for those who rarely drive in urban areas and so don't need the telescoping function, but who could use the additional cargo space while in long road trips.

Another possibility is a non-telescoping version that replaces and permanently mounts in the same location as the stock tailgate so the added cargo space in the boattail is an extension of the interior with a hatch built into the top of the boattail for cargo loading/unloading. That's the way my boattail is built and I've found the ability to carry 10 foot long 2x4's completely inside the car to be very convenient at times.

When I first saw the Prius C, I thought its shape made it an ideal candidate for aeromodding, since that would improve its highway mileage and increase its limited rear cargo space, which were two complaints about the car that some have made. I posted a message to that effect with a list of suggested aeromods over at Cleanmpg (which was promptly deleted by the Cleanmpg administrators since it didn't fit into "the auto manufacturers know best and you couldn't possibly improve on whatever they are currently selling" meme they push over there).
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