Hello everybody and HELP! I'm planing to start a project soon!

[lilutosh]

Hello everybody!
I am a student in UK and for my final year project (i'm doin BSc Automotive Design Technology) I have decided I want to do something inspired by ecomodder forums. Since the moment I discovered it I was amazed at every single success story I read.

But I need you help,
I am fininding it very difficult to choose a start car for this project.
I needs to be one (not old I guess) with acceptable Cd probably somewhere around 0.30 or 0.32, it needs to be easy to find in my area(Bradford) so I can scan it at the university and get the digital model so I can start testing and prototyping or just get a free digital model from the internet and of course it should be possible to do it.

I am thinking about creating a bodykit probably consisting of: front bumper and grille, side skirts, rear bumber + rear wheel covers and a belly pan(is that the right word?) ...


the point where you come in is the suggestions. for the moment I have done some research on honda civic es2 7th gen hybrid and civic eg hatchback but I have decided they are not good start points so I'm back to zero...

help please !

[euromodder]

Welcome to ecomodder !

How about a VW up! ?
They should be easily available, not that old, Cd 0.32 which leaves plenty of room for improvements - the li'l up! definitely suffers from a lack of aerodynamic refinement.

Fairly simple boxy shape.
Underside isn't too complicated to have a belly pan installed.
Cross up! parts fit the regular up, so by modifying these you could easily have some attachment points for rear wheel skirts.

[sheepdog 44]

A Smart? Terrible Cd, but good small engine so improvements would be dramatic.

[elhigh]

Hi, lilutosh.

I know you specify a low starting Cd, but allow me to make a suggestion: start with a crappy Cd. Find some effective little econobox with a thrifty drivetrain but lousy aero. You'll already be well on the way with lower curb (Brit spelling: kerb) weight, sufficient power and probably reduced accessory content. But if it's like a lot of small cars, certain compromises must be made in the vehicle's aerodynamics to maximize its interior volume within the constraints of a minimized package.

Someone suggested the Up! and that's a good choice. Any A- or B- class hatch is, I think, a good place to begin. A Focus hatch, Ka, Fiat 500: any of these provides economical mobility but does so by making the car as tiny and light as possible. How much better can you do on one of those platforms, especially one that isn't new? As the global economy continues to rebuild from the banking crisis meltdown lots of people still are reluctant to pick up the note on a new car, but might be more willing to pick up a good used car if they had some assurance they could do something to meaningfully improve the vehicle's fuel economy.

Just my two cents' worth. Sounds like an interesting paper and I hope, when you're done with it, you'll make your findings available to us.

[lilutosh]

great stuff people! Thanks
I can already see I'm happy I asked you guys.
My project will need to be one based on research but also on testing and prototype building so you might see updates from me soon.

At the moment I really have to decide and choose a base car.
For me at the moment the vw up! sounds cool, a smart would too, a prius would be a bit to complicated as there's already some stuff out there, ford focus hatch could do it fine I guess ( i researched and found out that it's nr 1 sold car in the uk between 2001-2004) and I have also considered vw golf..

thanks and keep the comments coming ! cheers !

[Thenorm]

i agree start with something horrible. then it would look more impressive when you make it cut through the air.
I would avoid a sedan (get a hatch) as it makes the back end treatment simpler, just put a kamm back (but u don't have to tell them that)

[lilutosh]

ok so suggestions in that case ? thanks !

[lilutosh]

i am starting to think the mini cooper 2008 would be a good nice choice as the Cd is only 0.35 from what I found out and this is the actual fuel consumption :


EU urban/extra-urban/comb.:

6.8 / 4.4 / 5.3 l/100km


41.5 / 64.2 / 53.3 mpg (imp.)


34.6 / 53.4 / 44.3 mpg (U.S.)

[Thenorm]

whats your budget?

[lilutosh]

hmmm budget... let me tell you about that

i will start by picking a car base, then get a scale model of it, scan it so I can have it 3d and play with it (shapes and testing) and at the end I will do either a clay model or a 3d printed version of the final bodykit installed on the car so basically the costs involved will only be the cost of the scale model that if I can't find any friend with one on their shelf's . so I won't do it in real life at real scale, this is going to be my final year project for the university .

thank you