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Old 03-01-2014, 07:34 PM   #81 (permalink)
JQmile
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: los angeles, ca
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aerohead View Post
The following are from a CAR and DRIVER road test of a VW Rabbit Diesel,reported,November 1979, measured at constant highway speeds (probably at Chrysler Proving Grounds which is just a hop skip and a jump from C&D's office at the time)
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80 mph = 27.0 mpg
75 mph = 30.0 mpg
70 mph = 34.5 mpg
65 mph = 41.0 mpg
60 mph = 47.0 mpg
55 mph = 52.0 mpg
50 mph = 57.0 mpg
45 mph = 61.5 mpg
40 mph = 62.5 mpg
This car may be a bit different but the trend line may be similar for the speed differentials.
That was kind of my experience with my Chevette. As near as I could figure, it's drag coefficient was somewhere around .45, which is horrible. When I tried to pulse and glide with that much wind resistance against a 2,200lb car, it was like I was throwing an anchor out the window. Low speeds is your friend in any boxy-shaped vehicle.

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1989 Dodge Diesel 972rwhp, 27mpg.
1971 Nova tubbed, solid cam 355 w/nitrous, 8mpg (sorry).
1960 Nash DIY Hybrid Project
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