Elio reverse trike aerodynamics

[NeilBlanchard]

How does raising the hood cowl increase the frontal area?

[SentraSE-R]

I'm highly suspicious that this vehicle will ever be produced. It's another pipe dream. Invest $100 and you get a t-shirt. Invest $1000 and you are virtually assured of getting one of the first bikes off the assembly line, and a t-shirt. That tells me if you invest $1000, you're going to get nothing except a t-shirt.

[racingdave]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

I'm highly suspicious that this vehicle will ever be produced. It's another pipe dream. Invest $100 and you get a t-shirt. Invest $1000 and you are virtually assured of getting one of the first bikes off the assembly line, and a t-shirt. That tells me if you invest $1000, you're going to get nothing except a t-shirt.

I think that you are correct.

Straight from their reservation agreement:

"The Reservation Payment is NON-REFUNDABLE and provides you with the benefits in Section 4 below depending on the level of your payment. This Agreement does not constitute an agreement for the sale of a vehicle and does not lock in pricing, a production slot, or an estimated delivery date. You are under no obligation to purchase a vehicle from us, and we are under no obligation to supply you with a vehicle."

[Frank Lee]

^Gee, that sounds like a deal I can't refuse.

Re: cowl height: looks like the entire thing gained height with the raised cowl. Doesn't really matter anyway because I suspect it's all vaporware.

[freebeard]

Sorry for the delay.

Wheel height and overall length are approximately equal; The 'thickness' at the windshield is 20% greater.

The first was probably never more than a rendering, but that's where they set expectations. It appears to me they moved the whole nose forward and up (front engine needed clearance?). Compare the angle of the door opening and the windshield post. And then shortened the rear to maintain the overall length

[NeilBlanchard]

Yes, that rendering is a bit longer proportionally and the beltline and door has changed, but I don't think the frontal area is significantly increased. A very small decrease in the Cd would drop the CdA a lot more than an inch or two of width.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Doesn't really matter anyway because I suspect it's all vaporware.

Anyways, the as-built version would make it easier to get in and out

[brucepick]

Originally Posted by freebeard

... You could totally duct tape coroplast onto those front fenders.

How about wedge-shaped pontoons that are flat on the inside in front and flat on the outside in back? That would pull air away from the body as it is widening, with some indeterminate effect abaft that.

And why aren't those ribs areas either side of the rear tire not all taillight? Like a big ribbed Mercedes one from the 90s?

I also think its a prime candidate for coroplast fairings. My idea is to angle the inner surface away from body in the rear. So when steering, the fairing clears the body. In front a rounded blunt surface would be fine, or maybe even leave the bare tire as OEM.

As for the grooved side panels at rear wheel, I think those side panels are removable for tire changes and access to brakes and rear suspension. Adding lighting would add complexity, cost, and would increase power consumption. Just my guess.

[drmiller100]

the first rendering is idealized.
when you go to actually build the thing, reality steps in.

The fundamental driver's height is a hard number. You cannot really drop below it and stay comfortable - I spent a lot of hours trying to cheat the height down, and you can't do it.

The driver's door is another hard and fast thing. there is a maximum length the door can be and still provide side impact at a reasonable weight. It is pretty standard in coupes made in the past 25 years.

The door post is set by the driver's seat. Which means the body line is between the windows is set by the driver's seat.
The width of the greenhouse is all going to be the same between cars, although I figured out how to "cheat" it narrower.

I wanted more length to the car for passenger comfort, so my car is longer. I wanted still a great turning radius - their car is going to have issues with turning radius I believe, and I think the front suspension will be 'ugly' out exposed, but we chose different design paths.

I am glad my car was the first of these - they are all going to look very similar as the design has to follow function.

[brucepick]

drmiller100,

Can you post a link or photos of your car?

Elio reduced the greenhouse width by using tandem seating. I'm guessing you did that too?