CFECO's X-Car Project Re-Do

[kach22i]

The most cab forward car I know of is the RCR Superlite made in Michigan.

Race Car Replica Superlite Coupe Rear Interior Photo 10


Not much foot-room as you can see above, so yes narrow tires and wider well will help.

Exterior:
Superlite Apex Photoshop Thread - Page 2 - GT40s.com

[CFECO]

I like the windshield. I'm thinking shorter tires, and the seats will be closer together. All the holders and stuff will be in the thicker doors, or on the dash.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by CFECO

Todays progress has brought the left rear quarter of X-Car, version... "Old Style Beetle reversed on the chassis, and streamlined", to a place where I'd like to hear comments on the streamlining at the rear. It's hard to see all of the shape due to the lighting. There will be a cover over the wheel at least 1/2 to 2/3.
I have found a couple of running Beetles locally, which would make a good starter car for the build, but they are actually in such nice shape, I'd hate to cut um up! Got mold making materials ordered to make copies of the 1/6 scale new Beetle.
I went through the Illuminati Motors Works build album today, studying their construction methods. Interesting build, and it gave me some good ideas for body forming, but putting that car in "Production" would be a nightmare.
Ahh, Winter in Southern AZ, t'shirts and shorts...sorry, I couldn't resist, you in the North can get me back in July!

I printed a copy of your side elevation photo and enlarged it to fit the AST to analyze it both as a normal saloon body,and a Jaray combination form.
*The roofline descends as steep as 36-degrees,which might work if it was a very narrow single-seat,or tandem layout (think P-38 Lightning cockpit).
*With a shoulder-to-shoulder side by side cabin you'd be looking at Paul Jaray's narrowest 'Kombination' car of Cd 0.245 potential (about half the drag of the original Beetle).
*With a standard width cabin,you'd have separation right as your contour hit 22-23-degrees down-slope,with horrific attached vortices and higher drag.
*Your lower body,minus the greenhouse is fine.Although I'd recommend dropping the leading edge of the nose down even with the belly of the chassis.You don't want any high pressure ram-air striking under the nose or you'll have the same front lift of the Beetle.
*How you do the greenhouse is going to determine your outcome.
*If you can find a photo of the upcoming 2016 VW Golf,you'll see that it's roofline is right on the 'Template',with Cd 0.24,same as today's Tesla S.This more gradual contour is a sure thing for flow attachment on a standard width cabin.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by CFECO

I like the windshield. I'm thinking shorter tires, and the seats will be closer together. All the holders and stuff will be in the thicker doors, or on the dash.

If you could swallow the price of that piece of glass you'd have the best there is.It's ideal.
I've been looking at a Maurader Lola GTP facsimile windshield for years.$3,000.

[CFECO]

I still believe the Template is not the End All shape in every instance, how did the EV-1 do so well? I believe it was by being "Smoooth" and in 3D, the air coming around the sides of the cabin joins with the air from over the roof...more air filling a given space, might allow for some "cheating" on the Ideal. The front is not being worked on yet, it needs a lot of work.
NO $3000 windshields, I'd like to have the base car on the road for $3k to $5k.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by CFECO

I still believe the Template is not the End All shape in every instance, how did the EV-1 do so well? I believe it was by being "Smoooth" and in 3D, the air coming around the sides of the cabin joins with the air from over the roof...more air filling a given space, might allow for some "cheating" on the Ideal. The front is not being worked on yet, it needs a lot of work.
NO $3000 windshields, I'd like to have the base car on the road for $3k to $5k.

I suppose it's all contextual.
Hucho reports that if you're going for the lowest drag,then you're going to end up either with the 'Template' or a wing-derived vehicle.
You can imagine driving a wing:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/...79_634x286.jpg
Or the 'Template':
http://www.solarracing.org/wp-conten...R_2013_car.jpg
The 'Template' can be easily rendered into a 2-dr or 4-dr with conventional ingress/egress:
http://www.energydigital.com/green_t...arworld_gt.jpg
These two basic body shapes are all we have for exploring the lower limits of drag.
As far as the contour of the 'Template' goes,one could take many liberties with the forebody,although the aft-body conforms to Hucho's stringent and exacting specifications for separation-free design.Which underlies the very foundation of automotive aerodynamic streamlining.
No one has ever beat the 'Template.'
There are a gagillion considerations for decisions regarding the final specifications for a vehicle.Although,if lowest drag is the ultimate driver behind the project,then we're left with only these two avenues of action.
You're looking at thousands of man-hours to create your car.Easily $80,000 if you hired it out to a novice constructor.You've got to ask yourself how much you're willing to gamble on irreversible decisions.

[freebeard]

With the stock seating I have to drive with my left foot tucked under my right knee half the time. You might consider a centered driving position.

[CFECO]

What are you driving?
I really want to end up with a car that would be user friendly, as I am trying to build the car I could not then, to enter the X-Prize with.

[freebeard]

The intrusion is about half that of the RCR Superlite, minus that lower A-arm pivot. Compare the Type III floorpan, the front quarter is pushed out and it has a more conventional wheelwell.

[CFECO]

I plan to widen the front track, use smaller dia. tires, and narrow the tunnel to get the seats closer together.