Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtlethargic
I'm glad you were the first to reply. What would it take technically? Very aerodynamic, an efficient engine operating at its peak, lightweight, etc.
What mpg does the Insight get?
|
To be honest, I think it would take an incredible amount of effort.
So, how are going to get drag low - and build the body? Hand-beaten aluminium? Fibreglass and moulds? And how are you going to know it's low drag - bespoke models in a high speed wind tunnel?
How are you going to keep the engine operating at its peak?
etc etc
Manufacturers have the best engineers around and spend literally billions developing new models.
How much did the Volkswagen XL1 cost to develop? And I bet they amortised basically none of that development cost - and each car cost $144,000.
To be brutally honest, developing a proper car that matches your requirements I think is nearly impossible these days for a private person. At least, for one without a
lot of money and time to spend.
A dead standard Insight can do about 84 US mpg at a constant 60 mph (no pulse and glide, etc).