1991 Toyota Hilux: Aerodynamic Tests and Modifications

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Besides relying on a more austere powerplant, the T-100 was more a beefed-up compact truck than an actual full-size like the Tundra.

[freebeard]

aerohead's T-100 looked like a billboard parked next to my Superbeetle.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

aerohead's T-100 looked like a billboard parked next to my Superbeetle.

Some modern small cars would already look like a billboard parked next to your Superbeetle. Only a handful of cars didn't outgrow their predecessors too much anyway.

[aerohead]

I found the GM-Holden, 2013, VF Commodore Ute, the lowest drag truck I've run across.
It's more 'El Camino' / 'Ranchero' / 'Rampage', than a typical body-on-frame pickup. And, like the 'AVALANCHE' GM sold, and RAM's lowest drag 1500, relies on a factory tonneau cover to achieve the published coefficient.
If we were to imagine a new, GM, unibody El Camino, based on the Chevy Malibu, and a topper, which mimic'd the Malibu's roofline, it seems like Cd 0.28- 0.27 would be a walk off home run. And one could 'go from there.'

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by aerohead

If we were to imagine a new, GM, unibody El Camino, based on the Chevy Malibu

GM has some experience with FWD unibody coupé-utilities, and once in a while I see some being used for actual work. Unibody and FWD could also allow for a deeper pick-up bed while not increasing so much the overall height compared to a body-on-frame RWD.