Interesting Aerodynamic Cars (Mike Vetter's ETV, also Avion)

[AJI]

While we're talking more mundane cars, the 5th gen Volkswagen Passat was quite impressive, Cd of 0.27. Even better than the smooth Audi 100's 0.30.



Handsome looking thing too, and a nice simple design. One of those cars that shows that getting the details right is almost as important as having a particular body shape or roof angle. Also a feature of Renault's 2005 Fluence concept, that's now become the Laguna Coupe, which has a drag coefficient of 0.30.




Anything below 0.30 isn't to be sniffed at in a road car, I reckon. The lower the better though, obviously.

[Varn]

Nice looking car but notice that it has hardly any mirror on the right side and no door handle. Quite inconvenient.

Originally Posted by AJI

While we're talking more mundane cars, .....
Handsome looking thing too, and a nice simple design. One of those cars that shows that getting the details right is almost as important as having a particular body shape or roof angle. Also a feature of Renault's 2005 Fluence concept, that's now become the Laguna Coupe, which has a drag coefficient of 0.30.




Anything below 0.30 isn't to be sniffed at in a road car, I reckon. The lower the better though, obviously.

Some general comments about freedom lost: I don't mind electronic control of the engine and transmission function but the rest is overkill. GPS, Having the car manufacturer being able to open your car door, stop your car. Probably monitor where you drive and how you drive.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Varn

Nice looking car but notice that it has hardly any mirror on the right side and no door handle. Quite inconvenient.

Sorry, I am seeing only concept car items of strange handles (I think it is that thing behind the door) and internal mirrors. Now then, how many aero cars on here have those ?

Having seen them in the metal they are quite nice, but they weigh about as much as the Queen Mary. Plus French cars have lost those looks they used to have in spades.

Example

406 Coupe (Yum)


407 Coupe (uurgh)


One designed by Pininfarina and one by some in-house students on work experience.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by Varn

Nice looking car but notice that it has hardly any mirror on the right side and no door handle. Quite inconvenient.

Note that the "left side view" is actually a different car... AJI said:

Also a feature of Renault's 2005 Fluence concept, that's now become the Laguna Coupe

... So I am guessing that the bottom pic is of the production Laguna Coupe...

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

... So I am guessing that the bottom pic is of the production Laguna Coupe...

Yes. And the ones I have seen all park that way taking up 2-3 spaces too.

[AJI]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

Note that the "left side view" is actually a different car... AJI said:

... So I am guessing that the bottom pic is of the production Laguna Coupe...

Correct I was going to label them but decided not to. Maybe I should have

Arragonis, I agree about the French styling. The Laguna Coupe is a very nice looking thing, and Citroen are doing well at the moment (the C6 is one of my favourite designs from any country), but Renault and Peugeot have lost their way a bit.

[Varn]

Yes I now see that they are different vehicles. Very similar at first glance. Sometimes I just jump.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hey look, they used mesh seats!

[Rokeby]

Thanks for the post.

Very nice concept. But I'm having trouble with the assertion that it would have
a strong influence on future GM cars. I can't see much of it in the Aveo or Cobalt.

Could there be some of its DNA in the Volt?
Not in the structure or aero package at least.

[NeilBlanchard]

The EV1 looks related?