Cookie Cutter Cars as a Result of Aerodynamics

[ChazInMT]

Aerohead had stated this in another thread, it got me thinking about how things might be. Rather than further hijack that thread, I have sort of "Moved" it into its own deal here.

Originally Posted by aerohead

GM was worried about cars that looked alike since the 1920s,and there's institutional inertia biased against form following function.Zero consumer education as well.
Upcoming CAFE standards for 2025 are going to push carmakers hard for mpg technology.
We may see closer 'fits' as far as ideal forms.
In 1985,Wolf H. Hucho mentioned that cars of Cd 0.13 were not a question of technological feasibility,but rather how important low drag was in the decision making process for production.
It should be an interesting next ten years.

I then joked this.

Originally Posted by ChazInMT

Sooooooo

Here's the 2025 Camaro




And the 2025 Mustang



And the 2025 Camry

Aerohead posted this then.

Originally Posted by aerohead

I'd love to see it,but some in the automotive press have already beat up on 'look-alike' cars.
Here's the early 90s

[ChazInMT]

I contend that this is already taking place, aerodynamics has really shaped the form of the "3 Box Sedan" to where many cars are very similar in silhouette to each other. To illustrate here a 7 cars from 7 companies whose outlines are within 2 or 3 inches of each other at the most, more often within 1 inch.
















This is the 7 cars overlaid in succession, All I did was resize the images so they were all similar size. I'm sure that there is a fair difference in the sizes of the cars, but this really shows what I'm talking about when I say they are all pretty much the same shape.



Pretty interesting I think.

[ksa8907]

I've noticed this in one way or another, especially with the chrysler 200 and the ford fusion. It's depressing... next will be all 1.x liter turbo engines making 18x hp/tq.... etc.

But at the same time, automakers will also have to start getting creative with their flagship vehicles. hybrid v8's, twin turbo 6's with a hybrid system, better cvt's, etc..

Still waiting for someone to take the plunge and design an engine around e85.

[whatmaycome14]

I knew this was happening, but never thought to actually sit down and compare it all! The result is incredible. Maybe the higher EPA requirements are a bad thing? (GASP)

[Fingie]

I personally think that we'll see.

[mikeyjd]

I would be happy if commuters were driving a 100+mpg rebadged XL1

[Fat Charlie]

Two words: Decal sets.

Oh, and chrome.

Three words, then.

[Frank Lee]

Just think all those manufacturers could get together and use the same tooling to build the same car. Just think of all the money they'd save by eliminating all those developmental and manufacturing redundancies. Slap a different emblem on the grilles and they're all set. It would be a parts store parts guy's dream.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Two words: Decal sets.

Oh, and chrome.

Three words, then.

Like NASCAR - the Chevy looks just like a Dodge, which looks like the Ford that looks like a Toyota.

The only difference is the shape of the grille decal.

[aerohead]

Here are some comparisons