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Old 01-08-2009, 02:58 AM   #11 (permalink)
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jesse.rizzo -

Quote:
Originally Posted by jesse.rizzo View Post
On a slightly off-topic note, I CANNOT believe they still haven't added wheel skirts to the Prius. I understand the need for aesthetics, but maybe I'm weird, because I think wheel skirts look cool. Even if I didn't know or care about aerodynamics, wheel skirts make the car look slightly futuristic.
I can believe it, because I think the aesthetic association is with "uncool" cars that our parents drove (land yachts). From a proportion POV, I don't like the "big wash" of metal that a wheel skirt creates towards the back of the car (it's hard to explain).

However, it would be even more cool if they offered an "extreme-aero" kit as an option. The car could have all the "holes in place" and ready to go. That way, you wouldn't have to go to the aftermarket :

$375


They could corner the "prius chat" niche market in one fell swoop.

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Old 01-08-2009, 03:17 AM   #12 (permalink)
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the problem with wheelskirts is that they can look odd on cars that weren't disigned to have them, especially since mewer cas have an increasing wide track which brings the wheels almost outside of the bodywork.

the shape of things like sidewindows could make tons of difference in how one precieves that "big wash" of metal 60's abd 70's citroens are good examples of "modern" cars with wheelskirts... but in the 40's and 50's theres plenty of inspireing examples... full 40's style wheel fairings could solve the problem of the whide track and give the wheels a visual presence without showing them.

a car like the citroen sm for example just wouldn't look right with exposed wheels


and in case toyota is watching


mow with a little imagination i could see a modern version of this
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Old 01-08-2009, 03:37 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Now that I was able to see the video, I like what I see :

Pressroom : Toyota USA Newsroom / Toyota


It reminds me of one of my (unbuilt) Kamm-back silhouettes from this thread :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ator-3709.html
From Post #72


Hint: Someone should process the 2010 Prius silhouette in Flow Illustrator.

More speculative Prius Pix :

2010 White Prius - PriusChat



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Old 01-08-2009, 04:03 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by lunarhighway View Post
the problem with wheelskirts is that they can look odd on cars that weren't disigned to have them, especially since mewer cas have an increasing wide track which brings the wheels almost outside of the bodywork.

the shape of things like sidewindows could make tons of difference in how one precieves that "big wash" of metal 60's abd 70's citroens are good examples of "modern" cars with wheelskirts... but in the 40's and 50's theres plenty of inspireing examples... full 40's style wheel fairings could solve the problem of the whide track and give the wheels a visual presence without showing them.

a car like the citroen sm for example just wouldn't look right with exposed wheels

...

mow with a little imagination i could see a modern version of this
I agree 100%. Every time I see an older car, I take note of the narrow-track and how *easy* it would be to execute a good/clean/flush wheel skirt.

Also, the Citroen "tapered back" in boat-tail style, so the proportions are from a different design rule book.

CarloSW2
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Old 01-08-2009, 01:29 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Quote:
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Cd -


Hint: Someone should process the 2010 Prius silhouette in Flow Illustrator.

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What are the final input numbers that are recommended for that program ?
I saw a lot of numbers thrown around.
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Old 01-08-2009, 06:43 PM   #16 (permalink)
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What are the final input numbers that are recommended for that program ?
I saw a lot of numbers thrown around.
I like azraelswrd's numbers :

Quote:
Originally Posted by azraelswrd View Post
2008 Prius



Re = 2465148 (calculated for 55mph)
dt = 0.01
length = 30sec
cutoff level = 0
The "safe" bitmap size is 256x128. If I were you, I would make a 512x256 2-bit (black and white) bitmap. If that bogs down the website, scale it at 50% and resubmit it. These are the rules I followed in my image :

(JPEG for browser visibility)


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