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OK then help me run the mpg numbers and lets just base it against the first gen Insight. What is the CdA of the Insight compared to this? I doubt the thermal efficiency of the Elio will be as good as the Honda with it's very experienced makers lean burn optimized for FE but let's just give Elio the benefit of the doubt they do it. So we have the weights, probably 2000 pounds with driver for the Honda and 1400 pounds Eilo both with a smallish driver. You could give a 25% reduction in rolling resistance but that is not exactly true because you end up with about the same 500 pounds on each tire, still there is one less rolling. So when I plug these numbers into our calculator in the aero forum and tweak them to get the EPA highway of 60 mpg that the Insight is EPA rated right at about 60 mph I come up with the Elio would have to have equal Cd with about 11.5 sqft of frontal aera. I also tried the numbers with a Mirage and it seems to get it's EPA 44 mpg right at the same 60 mph using .33 Cd with 20 sqft frontal.
So it is possible assuming a lot of best case. Best case Cd, best case engine efficiency, best case weight. Using a more average Cd, efficiency, and only counting lower RR and smaller frontal area it comes up low 70's MPG. Personally I feel that would be a more realistic number to claim and then over deliver if possible.
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