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NeilBlanchard · 03-11-2009, 01:02 PM

Hi,

The angle of the back of the Pillbug looks like it is pretty similar to the Aptera.

The 240Z 'G' nose has a lower stagnant point, and the the leading edge is blunted, and the headlights are covered. The length is changed because that is the angle of the hood they are working with, but the frontal area is the same (ignoring the wheel well flares), so the length is irrelevant for this discussion.

I think that if the Pillbug had a abrupt truncation it might help the Cd a bit -- the Aptera and the VW 1L have this; but then both of those have higher drag. Actually, the Aptera Typ-1 beats the Pillbug 0.11 vs 0.13, but the Aptera 2e is 0.15.

Lets not forget about the Maybach with it's 0.14 Cd (with a curved windshield) and 0.16 Cd with a flat windshield -- another example of a blunt nose on a low drag vehicle. This car went 150mph with only a 150HP engine.

We have the Aptera Typ-1/2e, the Pillbug, the Maybach, the VW 1L, the EV-1 -- all very low drag street cars; all with blunt noses. Do you have any examples of street cars with pointed noses, with a lower drag coefficient than any of these?

03-11-2009, 01:02 PM	#79 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard Master EcoModder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth Posts: 7,907 Mica Blue - '05 Scion xA RS 2.0 Team Toyota 90 day: 42.48 mpg (US) Forest - '15 Nissan Leaf S Team Nissan 90 day: 156.46 mpg (US) Number 7 - '15 VW e-Golf SEL TEAM VW AUDI Group 90 day: 155.81 mpg (US) Thanks: 3,475 Thanked 2,950 Times in 1,844 Posts	Hi, The angle of the back of the Pillbug looks like it is pretty similar to the Aptera. The 240Z 'G' nose has a lower stagnant point, and the the leading edge is blunted, and the headlights are covered. The length is changed because that is the angle of the hood they are working with, but the frontal area is the same (ignoring the wheel well flares), so the length is irrelevant for this discussion. I think that if the Pillbug had a abrupt truncation it might help the Cd a bit -- the Aptera and the VW 1L have this; but then both of those have higher drag. Actually, the Aptera Typ-1 beats the Pillbug 0.11 vs 0.13, but the Aptera 2e is 0.15. Lets not forget about the Maybach with it's 0.14 Cd (with a curved windshield) and 0.16 Cd with a flat windshield -- another example of a blunt nose on a low drag vehicle. This car went 150mph with only a 150HP engine. We have the Aptera Typ-1/2e, the Pillbug, the Maybach, the VW 1L, the EV-1 -- all very low drag street cars; all with blunt noses. Do you have any examples of street cars with pointed noses, with a lower drag coefficient than any of these? __________________ Sincerely, Neil http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/ Last edited by NeilBlanchard; 03-11-2009 at 01:14 PM..