AirFlow Truck Company StarShip Aero

[Shepherd777]

I can't show the exterior of the cab at this time, per our NDA's, but the bare truck cab is 100% carbon fiber and foam and it weighs less than 500 lbs. And the entire cab interior is super-sized.

Here is one of my fabricators from earlier this afternoon laying down carbon fiber gussets over the floor seams in the inside rear of the cab.

[freebeard]

Any comment or comparison to:

Nikola Motor Co. to release 2,000HP hybrid semitrailer truck | Computerworld

?

[seifrob]

I dunno, I am not an expert, but:
* quick googling revealed that the company seemingly didn´t exist prior may 2016
* although all the specs are impressive, it is just a claim until proven. Do they have a prototype? I haven´t seen one.
* how are they financed? R&D had to cost fortune (unless they broke into Shepherd777´s garage), let aside manufacturing.
* and somehow - without real reason - it sounds too good to be true. Too much Elio-like to me.

Call me spoilfun, but even if I had 375 thousand dollars, I would wait with placing my $1,500 deposit on that rig.

[Shepherd777]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Any comment or comparison to:

Nikola Motor Co. to release 2,000HP hybrid semitrailer truck | Computerworld

?

When I first saw this truck this morning eating breakfast I almost fell out of my chair. It looks a lot like my new rig.

Our truck is slightly more aerodynamic, I would guess. Theirs is awful flat in front. It looks a lot like the so-called Freightliner "SuperTruck." Those mirrors and their struts look like an aero nightmare to me. And I don't know why they have steps on the right side skirt, because there is no doors on that side. But overall, I like it.



Some other common features with our truck:
• One door behind the front seat. Theirs is on the driver’s side though.
• Sweeping aerodynamic windshield.
• Carbon fiber cab.
• Cab is 30% larger, just like ours.
• Fridge and Freezer.
• Electric HVAC.
• Digital display panels with carbon fiber dash.
• 4G LTE internet over Wi-Fi.
• Microwave and TV.

Cost - $350,000 to $415,000 each.
Fuel burn – 25 gallons per hour when the turbines are running.
Claimed 10-15 MPG.

I hate their mirrors and struts, but other than that, it looks pretty good to me. But our truck will cost a whole lot less and get better MPG.

[Shepherd777]

Originally Posted by seifrob

I dunno, I am not an expert, but:
* quick googling revealed that the company seemingly didnt exist prior may 2016
* although all the specs are impressive, it is just a claim until proven. Do they have a prototype? I haven´t seen one.
* how are they financed? R&D had to cost fortune (unless they broke into Shepherd777´s garage), let aside manufacturing.
* and somehow - without real reason - it sounds too good to be true. Too much Elio-like to me.

Call me spoilfun, but even if I had 375 thousand dollars, I would wait with placing my $1,500 deposit on that rig.

I agree with seifrob. Until we see a real one, it's just vaporware to me. Although they claim to be building it. As everyone can see, we are really building ours.

[NeilBlanchard]

The drop in the fender behind the rear wheel is problematic, I think. The blunt(er) is probably fine, though.

[seifrob]

Originally Posted by Shepherd777

<snip>Until we see a real one, it's just vaporware to me. Although they claim to be building it. As everyone can see, we are really building ours.

On the other hand - from marketing point of view - they are doing excellent job. Barely week from foundation, no real product, but they managed to get to big newsfeeds (hey, articles about them are popping even in my country!). And - judging from comments - people will talk about them ("Look at the name!").Their PR person must be working around a clock. It shouldn´t hurt to write "We actually have prototype in making" to responsible editors of that magazines. It looks like war on future prospects is coming?
-- diverting from aerodynamics, sorry. But I fear that if it really is vaporware, it will hurt you too.

[Shepherd777]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

The drop in the fender behind the rear wheel is problematic, I think. The blunt(er) is probably fine, though.

Hey Neil. Long time no talk. Greetings from next door in New England.

[Xist]

So, now we have some idea how your tractor looks?

[Shepherd777]

Originally Posted by Xist

So, now we have some idea how your tractor looks?

Yes, but ours is much more handsome and manly!