Quote:
Originally Posted by racprops
1) Aerostealth has a 2014 F-150 Crew Cab 4X4, 6.5-ft bed, and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, dual-turbo: 365-bhp, and 410-lb-ft of torque, actual 22-mpg at a constant 62-mph, level, calm, dry, West Texas. There are sport cars of the 1960s that it would embarrass. You'll thrill at your first test drive.
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2) 29 mpg 'Would' be impressive if it actually performed to that number. Do we have real world values for the van? Gasoline?
Forgot the window sticker for that van:
3) Diesel fuel has about 17% more Btu/gallon than gasoline, and overall, with a higher thermal efficiency, offer about 30% better mpg than gasoline.
And yet all I have ever seen is 5 to 10 MPG more with all the SO MUCH higher maintenance and repair costs.
4) We need to know the frontal area and drag coefficient of that 'box' in order to accomplish anything.
Standard Express Van.
5) Yes, the Karmann-Ghia has a smaller frontal area AND lower drag coefficient, for a lower drag index.
I figure that FLAT front windshield costs a lot, the Super Bettle had a nice curver windsheild, bet it could be better.
6) As to 'traction', there are LRR tires with traction-A ratings, wet and dry. Corvettes will handle nearly the same skid-pad speeds on 'donut' spare tires. I believe it has to do with the compounding of the rubber, not the dimensions.
From what I have read lower rolling resistance means harder and less sticky rubber which means less traction and much more slipping.
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1) At present, I have no data on the van.
2) Yeah, the initial price premium, cost of Diesel ,DEF, etc., weighed against higher mpg needs to pencil out to the owner benefit.
3) There are smoke-flow wind tunnel images of the standard Beetle in the Volkswagen wind tunnel. The wind shield area appears free of separation.
High ( Cd 0.495 ) drag would be attributed the the aft-body's severe, steep curvature. A look at Volkswagen's Cd 0.186 XL1 provides the solution.
4) Tesla's uses LRR touring tires to help extend their battery range. The Model S will keep up with a Ferrari La Ferrari on the race track, if I remember correctly.