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Old 08-14-2020, 10:30 AM   #6 (permalink)
bwilson4web
Engineering first
 
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 843

17 i3-REx - '14 BMW i3-REx
Last 3: 45.67 mpg (US)

Blue Bob's - '19 Tesla Std Rng Plus
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Here are the first results:
  • Red line diamonds - a baseline recorded in March 2019 from our Std Rng Plus Model 3. It had the stock rims and tires with the aero covers.
  • Green line triangles - recorded August 11, 2020 with 18x8 Enkei trims and 225/55R18 Bridgestone ECOPIA EP422 Plus on the rear. The front tires are the Tire Rack recommended 235/45R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
At lower speeds, the lower rolling resistance tires on the rear are working great. So now I need to look at aerodynamic tricks.

My first thought is rear wheel well pants. I can test it using heavy paper/cardboard and blue sticky tape. I'll only need to replicate the 63 mph benchmark. This approach doesn't add a rotating mass to the wheels.

There are rear spoilers sold but at $700, they are pricy and I'm seeing credible data showing a significant drag reduction. But I can hack-test with heavy paper/cardboard and blue sticky tape.

Bob Wilson
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2019 Tesla Model 3 Std. Range Plus - 215 mi EV
2017 BMW i3-REx - 106 mi EV, 88 mi mid-grade
Retired engineer, Huntsville, AL
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