I just finished the 72-page 'Technical Report Sunrayce 95' which I found online.
It covers solar racers with Cds from 0.32,to 0.08 and everything in between.
Most interesting to me was Northern Essex Community College' 3-wheeled "TNE" which ran on battery power alone for the whole race,PV array folded and stored within the vehicle.
The TNE had Cd 0.10, frontal area of 0.7m(7.5 sq ft),and GVW of 344 kg (757 lbs)
TNE ran the whole race at posted speed limits of 55-65 mph when solar charging permitted it.
From data provided,at 55 mph,and 92% mechanical efficient drivetrain,2.887 bhp would be sufficient to balance it's road load.
At a BSFC of 0.40 lb/bhp-hr (Chevy old school V8) TNE would return 285 mpg at a constant 55 mph.
With a VW/AUDI Diesel TDI powerplant the TNE would see 350 mpg.
The car was described as a 'torpedo' with 3.8m (12.5') Length,1.0m(3.3') height,and faired but exposed front wheels 1.35m (4.4') tip to tip.Ground clearance is 0.5'(152mm).
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When Sunraycer bowed back in 1987,Dr.Paul MacCready reported that,on gasoline,a 'car' like this would attain 400 mpg.I get it!
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Anyway,it's fun reading,and allows another glimpse into the world of low-drag vehicles.
Scale 'em up to 'regular' size,put some 'real' wheels and tires on 'em,and they're still pretty light on consumption.Tasty!
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Here is an attempt at the link to the report
http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/...ble/376410.pdf
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