Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Interesting Aerodynamic Cars (Mike Vetter's ETV, also Avion)

NeilBlanchard · 03-27-2013, 02:43 PM

Every time I see a cool low drag car like the M-1000, the first thought I have is to see if an electric drivetrain would be likely to be used to lower the drag even more. Because they require far less (or almost no) air flow, and they don't have hot exhaust systems. Cooling a hot internal combustion engine with a minimal drag cooling system means that the operating temperatures will be dancing on the edge of reliability.

Also, seeing the chassis for the M-1000 shows the design solution for the use of the interior volume that is pushed forward - the front wheels have to fit under the front doors (which are hinged at the back) and the front suspension is directly under the front seats.

Very often, low drag cars push the engine to the back - where it fits and people do not - and this means that the heaviest part of the car is at just about the worst place in a low drag car; because of the issues of side winds. The rear fenders on the M-1000 may just solve some of this, though?

03-27-2013, 02:43 PM	#564 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard Master EcoModder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth Posts: 7,908 Mica Blue - '05 Scion xA RS 2.0 Team Toyota 90 day: 42.48 mpg (US) Forest - '15 Nissan Leaf S Team Nissan 90 day: 156.46 mpg (US) Number 7 - '15 VW e-Golf SEL TEAM VW AUDI Group 90 day: 155.81 mpg (US) Thanks: 3,475 Thanked 2,952 Times in 1,845 Posts	Every time I see a cool low drag car like the M-1000, the first thought I have is to see if an electric drivetrain would be likely to be used to lower the drag even more. Because they require far less (or almost no) air flow, and they don't have hot exhaust systems. Cooling a hot internal combustion engine with a minimal drag cooling system means that the operating temperatures will be dancing on the edge of reliability. Also, seeing the chassis for the M-1000 shows the design solution for the use of the interior volume that is pushed forward - the front wheels have to fit under the front doors (which are hinged at the back) and the front suspension is directly under the front seats. Very often, low drag cars push the engine to the back - where it fits and people do not - and this means that the heaviest part of the car is at just about the worst place in a low drag car; because of the issues of side winds. The rear fenders on the M-1000 may just solve some of this, though? __________________ Sincerely, Neil http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/ Last edited by NeilBlanchard; 03-27-2013 at 02:49 PM..