03-03-2010, 09:48 PM
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#51 (permalink)
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Pokémoderator
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chuckm -
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckm
I think this is exactly what V-Vehicle, the new car company (the one that is trying to locate in my hometown), is doing.
CRAFTING V-VEHICLE | thenewsstar.com | The News Star See the top of the third page particularly. If they are bringing the suppliers onboard during design, I suspect that they are going to use parts already in production (or parts requiring minimum changeover from existing production runs). However, the V-vehicle price point is planned to be around $10k.
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Thanks for the V-Vehicle update. I like the idea that they are referencing Saturn, even if it's a criticism, because the idea is the same, aka build a compact fuel-efficient car in the USA.
Can they license a "kit of parts" from suppliers? Aren't the parts the intellectual property of the auto companies that contracted with the suppliers to make the parts?!?!?!
I would think they are designing new parts with efficient production processes in mind.
CarloSW2
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03-03-2010, 11:28 PM
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#52 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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It was a long, long way from AMC to Commutacar.
If you are not selling at least 50,000 units a year, you are not a real player.
Where is V-Vehicle gonna get an engine and transaxle?
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03-04-2010, 03:00 AM
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#53 (permalink)
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(:
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I saw a Commutacar on the street today!
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03-04-2010, 07:15 AM
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#54 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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The blueprint for a practical highway commuter car:
Tadpole trike layout with front wheel drive, 250cc turbo-diesel and a six-speed + reverse
motorcycle transmission. Three wheels mean less cost and rolling resistance, turbo-diesel the highest efficiency available now. Tandem reclined seating for a 250# driver, 175# passenger and a small trunk over the rear wheel. Narrow body with aero struts going out to faired front wheels. Tires/wheels to be the new Michelin "tweel" with no air, so no spare needed. External mirrors to be tiny, augmented by internal ones.
Options: "Automatic" transmission is the same manual with solenoid shifting. For people who also drive many urban miles, a small pneumatic hybrid system that uses regen braking for a single acceleration and engine restart only, by injecting air into the diesel motor. All power options like brakes and steering to carry hefty taxes to offset their future energy costs. A/C optional, heater standard.
The only thing that will allow it to be a success would be the Feds advertising the true cost of fuel, and announcing that all subsidies keeping it below that price at the pump will be eliminated over a five year timeline.
Of course that isn't going to happen. Had a glimmer of hope when the only presidential
candidate of three front-runners that didn't promise gas rebates for last summer actually won the election. Big Oil still owns too much of the legislature for real immediate change.
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03-04-2010, 08:59 AM
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#55 (permalink)
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Banned
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Highway design..
- torque based four cyl (3 main boxer)
- downdraft or 1024 bit computer for injection (hmmm downdraft it is then)
- 15 inch wheels (24 inch minimum overall diameter)
- longer than a hatch, shorter than a suburban
- tall gears
- 3000 pounds
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03-06-2010, 04:02 PM
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#56 (permalink)
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The PRC.
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I'm having a french car fest at the moment, so I would combine the mechanics of something like the Panhard 24CT with the body of a Citroen GS.
And if the engine (flat twin 800cc) could be a direct injection Diesel then superb.
Oh and 6 speed manual with top being roughly 35mph/1000 rpm.
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03-06-2010, 05:34 PM
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#57 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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1987 GM/AeroVironment-Sunraycer: 400 mpg
The Sunraycer was rated at 400-mpg with I.C.engine/powertrain.
In 'race' trim she had Cd 0.12.'Clean' she was rated at Cd 0.089 with the full wheel fairing package.
This was and is the inspiration for the range-extender trailer project.With 'real'
wheels/tires,and more all-up mass,this platform would continue to deliver remarkable mpg performance.
It's a 'known quantity',very little R&D would be required to develop a conventionally-powered road-going version.
But that's also the problem.She suffers from the tyranny of unity.She could be the single solution for so many of the challenges we perceive,so this is precisely why these vehicles cannot exist.
Solutions must be complicated and support millions of useless jobs.And problems must never be solved,for,they continue to provide growth industries which must continue to struggle with the problem for centuries to come,paying dividends to shareholders and institutional investors,hedge funds.
There's trillions of dollars to made from problems,little to be made from solutions.
That said,if I was in a position to 'design' a dedicated high-mpg highway vehicle,the Sunraycer would be a talking point.
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03-06-2010, 05:39 PM
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#58 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
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...true, but even TODAY, the cost of all those solarcells is horrendously HIGH.
...on the "flipside," however, is the fact that todays' solarcells are far more efficient, so (possibly) fewer would be needed.
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03-06-2010, 06:13 PM
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#59 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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solar cells
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tele man
...true, but even TODAY, the cost of all those solarcells is horrendously HIGH.
...on the "flipside," however, is the fact that todays' solarcells are far more efficient, so (possibly) fewer would be needed.
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I'd skip the solar and go directly to I.C. to exploit the low drag.The shape of the car is the hot ticket.
Compared to a Cd 0.30 car today,Cd 0.12 would hand you a 36% mpg improvement at 70 mph.
I realize it can't be done,but an individual could do it.
With Korff's cooling system and camera 'mirrors' we could shave it to below 0.10.
Wouldn't want to do it! 200 mpg Tata Nano CX.
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03-06-2010, 06:17 PM
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#60 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
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...by sheer numbers, daylight driving far exceeds nighttime driving, for all but long-haul drivers.
...however, some of us do go to work "...with the chickens..." and come home "...by the stars."
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