Elio reverse trike aerodynamics

[doviatt]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Back seat only for this guy?

LOL. That is awesome Frank!!
Someone with photoshop skills should put a template on Franks avatar cat, rotated 90 deg clockwise. The cat would look, and fit great nestled up on the deck behind (or around the neck of) the guy with the convertible forehead.

A real ecomodder would solve this issue by installing an articulating (aerodynamic) dome that props up to accommodate the rarely frequented passenger seat.
I know I couldn't get an adult to ride with me in one of these (out of fear). My wife might not mind if she could sleep back there in comfort. My kids would love it though.
I consider it a thoughtful commuter vehicle that by definition: almost always is occupied by a sole occupant. Everyone check this theory (number of passengers) on your way to work tomorrow.

Edit: Note: you can see the top of the guys head extending beyond the glass in the line drawing. Pop up car top, or pop down skull. Your choice.

[brucepick]

I think the passenger sits further forward than was speculated in the drawing. Which of course is an aerodynamic phenomenon. [/Sarcasm]

These dimensions are from Elio's site, Elio Motors: Ultra High Mileage Car. (specs tab):

Headroom:
Driver 39.8
Passenger 36.4 in

Seat width:
Driver 20.6
Passenger 25.3 in

Interior Shoulder Width: 26.8 in
Front seat Legroom: 42.7 in
Rear seat Legroom: 33.1 in

Elio has been designed to fit 95% of all men. The tallest person we have had in the Elio is a 6’8″ former college basketball player, the largest is a 6’3″ 365 lb man, and the smallest is a 5’0″ woman (no, we didn’t ask the weight!).

[Xist]

Who has sat in the back seat?

[NeilBlanchard]

The lip spoiler on the back might have a small affect on the aero drag, but the exposed suspension and exhaust system are more concerning. The Elio vehicle (name yet to be announced) is *far* better than almost anything on the road today - the shape is pretty darn good, and detail drag like the lip spoiler seems to be minimal.

[brucepick]

One of the photos in this thread shows the current configuration of exposed suspension components: (here). Really, only driveshaft and various control arms. Back side of wheel fairings shows some exposed hardware. Earlier P3 version had exposed spring/strut.

True about the exposed exhaust. Current P4 still has the Geo Metro engine. New IAV engine is expected installed in June; then we may see an exhaust system that's closer to production design. Elio has specified 5.75" ground clearance so hopefully they will tuck the visible downpipe up into the bay a bit more.

[round.boater]

Originally Posted by Xist

Who has sat in the back seat?

I did in the P3 version they brought to Denver a few months ago. I'm a touch over 6'3", and I couldn't comfortably sit the back seat. I had to slouch to not have my head pushing into the ceiling. My 5'2" wife fit fine...
The front seat had plenty of head room and didn't feel confined at all. Great 1-person car.
We're "all in" and awaiting production. Like mentioned before, we both commute alone whether we like it or not, so might as well use less to do it.

[botsapper]

A little rear bubble top would help him, ala P-38M night fighter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JS1lO2V-f8

[Xist]

Originally Posted by botsapper

A little rear bubble top would help him, ala P-38M night fighter.

What about Kach22i's suggestion from http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ml#post372312?

18 Gurney Bubble $35
Cushman Competition

Although I imagine that the back tapers more than most roofs would. I remember riding in the back of a friend's Neon. My head kept hitting the glass. Just hitting upholstery would be much less of a problem. We should petition them to tuft test and if that does not work, petition to let us tuft test!

If it tapers too quickly, then it reduces rear headroom a small amount for no reason.

[spacemanspif]

Is anyone planning to actually put someone in the back seat?? I like the idea of this car but because of it's MPG, not its capability to transport the soccer team. I'd rather see this thing marketed as a 1 seat trike with a good jack and full size spare. Screw the little bit of added weight from the tools, I'm driving it 100miles a day and don't want to call a tow truck because I got a nail in tire. Make it the blend it's supposed to be: MPG and useful (useless?) as a motorcycle with the all weather capability of a car...

[brucepick]

Elio recently posted that they are raising the rear roof line somewhat. This will give more rear headroom AND will allow a more gentle rear roof slope, probably will be closer to template with that change.

They are still working to achieve 84 mpg highway, not quite there yet. We could give them a few pointers.