Comparison of two GM affiliate models

[Christ]

First, the 1991 Geo Storm:

Front Side View:

Rear Side View:


Drag coefficient: .31
Frontal Area: ??

Then, the Saturn SC1

Front Side View:


Rear Side View:


Drag Coefficient: .318
Frontal Area: 2.06 Square Meters

Finally, the GM EV1!

Front Side View:


Rear Side View:


Drag Coefficient: .19
Frontal Area: 1.89 Square Meters.

Looks like for awhile, anyway, they were starting to "get it"... eh?

[Jethro]

Ah the SC1. My cousins GF had one.
It was great when the alternator mounting tab that was cast into the ENGINE BLOCK broke. That car was never fabulous at anything, but it sure ran for over 200k of an mindless neglectful female teenage driver.

I was quite impressed with the shape of 2 cars I saw today.
The Gen IV Mistu Eclipse and the Pontiac G6 Coupe.
Both seemed to be very much 'boattailed'

[cfg83]

Christ -

Yeah, the Storm and SC1 were always eerily similar, and were part of the faux-wraparound rear window treatment that you'd also see in Oldsmobiles.

I like to think of the late 80's and early 90's as the "aero era", if for no other reason, a lot of cars had below-headlight grills.

I always thought the Geo Storm was really small, but I guess it was in my mind :

Saturn SC1
Wheelbase   99.2 in (2,520 mm)
Length      173.2 in (4,399 mm)
Width       67.6 in (1,717 mm)
Height      50.6 in (1,285 mm)

Geo Storm
Wheelbase   96.5 in (2,451 mm)
Length	    163.4 in (4150 mm)
Width       66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Height      51.1 in (1,298 mm)
Curb weight 2,282 lb (1,035 kg)

Ok, the SC1 was about 10" longer. But the other dimensions are very comparable.

CarloSW2

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Christ -

Yeah, the Storm and SC1 were always eerily similar, and were part of the faux-wraparound rear window treatment that you'd also see in Oldsmobiles.

I like to think of the late 80's and early 90's as the "aero era", if for no other reason, a lot of cars had below-headlight grills.

I always thought the Geo Storm was really small, but I guess it was in my mind :

Saturn SC1
Wheelbase   99.2 in (2,520 mm)
Length      173.2 in (4,399 mm)
Width       67.6 in (1,717 mm)
Height      50.6 in (1,285 mm)

Geo Storm
Wheelbase   96.5 in (2,451 mm)
Length	    163.4 in (4150 mm)
Width       66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Height      51.1 in (1,298 mm)
Curb weight 2,282 lb (1,035 kg)

Ok, the SC1 was about 10" longer. But the other dimensions are very comparable.

CarloSW2

I think that the Geo Storm was inferred when Paul MacCready made the claim that if one were to take the powertrain of a contemporary sport coupe and slip it under the body of the Impact/EV-1,that you'd have a 100-mpg car.
The Storm served as a test-mule for the Impact electronics and powertrain.
A couple years later,Ultralite,different looking,but identical Cd debuted with 100-mpg.
The longer Saturn had one of the lowest Road Load Horsepower ratings of any car tested by Car and Driver.

[Arragonis]

Could I throw another GM product into the mix



Opel Calibra 1989-1997 - cd of 0.26 in 8v form (the 16v, turbo and V6s were worse).

Prior to this the Kadett E (aka Vauxhall Astra, Pontiac Le Mans, Daewoo all sorts) was also designed with aero in mind, including mostly having flat wheel covers skinny (i.e. Michelin X) tyres.



I remember reading a motoring journo long term review in the 80s and he praised the 1.3 litre Astra for being able to cruise at 100+ with 3 passangers. The 16v 160hp version was claimed to be capable of 150mph - although in reality it struggled to that. This was in 1985.

And prior to this (we are in the 70s now) the Mk1 Vauxhall Cavalier was also aero styled for the time - flat wheel covers, sloped lights and so on. And this came after the Vauxhall "droop snoot" phase.



Droop snoot goodness here :

Vauxhall Magnum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Christ]

Originally Posted by aerohead

I think that the Geo Storm was inferred when Paul MacCready made the claim that if one were to take the powertrain of a contemporary sport coupe and slip it under the body of the Impact/EV-1,that you'd have a 100-mpg car.
The Storm served as a test-mule for the Impact electronics and powertrain.
A couple years later,Ultralite,different looking,but identical Cd debuted with 100-mpg.
The longer Saturn had one of the lowest Road Load Horsepower ratings of any car tested by Car and Driver.

Would that be one of the many articles you have in your collective book marks?

I'd love to see reference made to the Storm in any type of Eco-car.

I'm still not sure what engine I'll install in mine, I do believe that #1 rod is broken or the bearing is toast. Knocking sound when cranking, engine won't start. THere are lots of blocks that fit, but they all require extraneous work to run. I may just use the OE 1.6 for now, if I can find one.

Of course, I'm also going to be looking into what kinds of aero improvements I can make, taking major cues from the EV1.

Arragonis -

Sure, and if you come across any more, feel free to let them join the party! I'm interested specifically in cars that had obvious aero advantages for this thread, and especially anything with a small, efficient engine/drivetrain.

[Arragonis]

I am thanked by christ, I am blessed. I am off to bed.

[cfg83]

aerohead -

Originally Posted by aerohead

I think that the Geo Storm was inferred when Paul MacCready made the claim that if one were to take the powertrain of a contemporary sport coupe and slip it under the body of the Impact/EV-1,that you'd have a 100-mpg car.
The Storm served as a test-mule for the Impact electronics and powertrain.
A couple years later,Ultralite,different looking,but identical Cd debuted with 100-mpg.
The longer Saturn had one of the lowest Road Load Horsepower ratings of any car tested by Car and Driver.

Last year I kept driving by a used car lot with a 1st gen SC#. There's also a gold one near me. Every time I look at 'em, my brain ecomods them.

I just found this picture in your "Other vehicles 1" gallery :



The nose of this car always reminded me of the Storm and the SC.

CarloSW2

[Christ]

Lower the Lumina APV and cut the ridiculous bumper on it, and you've got that image up there. (Nevermind the back.)

Arragonis -
Christ giveth, and Christ can taketh away! :P (Smart ass.)

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Christ

Would that be one of the many articles you have in your collective book marks?

I'd love to see reference made to the Storm in any type of Eco-car.

I'm still not sure what engine I'll install in mine, I do believe that #1 rod is broken or the bearing is toast. Knocking sound when cranking, engine won't start. THere are lots of blocks that fit, but they all require extraneous work to run. I may just use the OE 1.6 for now, if I can find one.

Of course, I'm also going to be looking into what kinds of aero improvements I can make, taking major cues from the EV1.

Arragonis -

Sure, and if you come across any more, feel free to let them join the party! I'm interested specifically in cars that had obvious aero advantages for this thread, and especially anything with a small, efficient engine/drivetrain.

Christ,the article was about MacCready and what he had accomplished with AeroVironment.
Within the article,he discussed how the GM Sunraycer would make a 400-mpg car,and after qualifying a powertrain,made the mpg association to the Impact/EV-1.
He never specifically mentions the Saturn or Storm,however,since the Storm did serve as a test mule,and it originally possessed the kind of powertrain he specified,I just made a mental leap,presuming an Impact-bodied Storm could achieve 100-mpg.I believe that is exactly the spirit of his comment.