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

[Autobahnschleicher]

Originally Posted by Accordowner

One of the slickest vehicles I've ever seen is not an automobile but on a Velomobile:
The Aerovelo Eta, which is the current record holder for Human Powered Vehicles (HPVs) was clocked at 89.6 mph on human power alone! You achieve such speeds only with extreme aerodynamics and efficiency. In this case it has a drag coefficient of mere 0.038!! Or 9544 MPG Equivalent efficiency!!!
I can only imagine how efficient this Velomobile would be if fitted with an electric motor and battery!

If you look at more practical velomobiles and their power demand for certain speeds, you will see that they don't realy need a motor.
Take for example the Milan SL, it's a 3-wheeler with a CDA of 0,0311 and a CD 0,076.
It goes:
45,4 km/h at 116.5 Watt
50.0 km/h at 134.5 Watt
54.8 km/h at 158.0 Watt
60.0 km/h at 185.0 Watt

This kind of power is pretty easy to sustain, even for me.
And this is not some one of a kind unpractical racing vehicle, it's designed to be used as a daily ride.
It's got a trunk, it's 3-wheeled, it is designed with rollover protection in mind and the drivetrain is covered to extend its lifespan.

[Accordowner]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

If you look at more practical velomobiles and their power demand for certain speeds, you will see that they don't realy need a motor.
Take for example the Milan SL, it's a 3-wheeler with a CDA of 0,0311 and a CD 0,076.
It goes:
45,4 km/h at 116.5 Watt
50.0 km/h at 134.5 Watt
54.8 km/h at 158.0 Watt
60.0 km/h at 185.0 Watt

This kind of power is pretty easy to sustain, even for me.
And this is not some one of a kind unpractical racing vehicle, it's designed to be used as a daily ride.
It's got a trunk, it's 3-wheeled, it is designed with rollover protection in mind and the drivetrain is covered to extend its lifespan.

Thanks for that information. That CDA of 0.0311 sounds even better than that of Aerovelo! are you certain about that for a three wheeler?

[Autobahnschleicher]

Originally Posted by Accordowner

Thanks for that information. That CDA of 0.0311 sounds even better than that of Aerovelo! are you certain about that for a three wheeler?

That's what the manufacturer states and this thing is known to be crazy fast amongst velomobile riders.

[Accordowner]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

That's what the manufacturer states and this thing is known to be crazy fast amongst velomobile riders.

Any links?

[Accordowner]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

That's what the manufacturer states and this thing is known to be crazy fast amongst velomobile riders.

Crazy fast as in Deutschland's autobahns!? too bad its a tiny country. You'll cross it in no time. Only if the fuhrer's dreams had been realized...Oh wait it has been realized! But in reverse by fuhrer Angela! LOL

[The Toecutter]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

That's what the manufacturer states and this thing is known to be crazy fast amongst velomobile riders.

I own one. Cruising 35 mph on flat ground is no issue for me and I can almost reach 50 mph on flat ground in a sprint, strictly with leg muscle power. I do not have a power meter, but I suspect the manufacturer's claims are in line with reality. I also built a velomobile off of a KMX trike, which will eventually have a new shell whose design is heavily influenced by the Milan.

My current dream is to build a one-seater electric sports car with a similarly slippery body to the Milan, all wheel drive via hub motors, more than one peak horsepower per pound of vehicle, and with a total vehicle weight < 150 lbs. There is a lot of allure to the idea of only needing 0.02 kWh/mi to cruise highway speeds, capable of careening down the highway at 120 mph while only needing about 5 horsepower to do so, but then having 150+ horsepower on tap with near-instantaneous slip detection in each wheel for some brutal acceleration given that the laden vehicle including rider, tools, and luggage will be well under 350 lbs.

[freebeard]

Na-na-na-na.... Batman


Just A Car Guy: great photo using the shadow to add another viewing angle, and a 2 dimensional representation

The shadow is there, but I was more taken by the refraction through the daylight opening.

[NeilBlanchard]

New cars are getting very low drag designs:

https://insideevs.com/news/535590/ni...g-coefficient/

[aerohead]

She's very similar to the Tesla Model S Plaid, at same Cd, which with 100-kWh, is EPA Combined 348-mile range, @ average 287.3 Wh/mile.
With aero wheels, and narrower wheels/tires, the Plaid ought to easily match Mercedes' EQS, and pick up a smidgeon more range.
Hucho foreshadowed all these sedan-coupe fastbacks 35-years ago.
Today, with electrification and range issues, designers know where the efficiency 'secret-sauce' lies.
Acura, Alpine, Aston-Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daihatsu, Ford, GAC, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, KIA, Lightyear, Lucid, Mazda, McLaren, M-B, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Pininfarina, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, Rolls-Royce, SEAT, Stellantis, Tata, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, and the rest, all know how the aerodynamic cow eats the aerodynamic cabbage.
The tyranny of unity is staring right down the barrel of their styling department's, and corporate economic viability.
One out of one atmosphere knows!
You can fool most of the people most of the time, but you can't fool any of the air any of the time.

[freebeard]

NIO -- 0.208
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ -- 0.200
Tesla Model -- 0.208
EQS 580 4MATIC i-- 0.209
Lucid Air -- 0.21.

As sedans converge. I wonder if that body style is more optimizable than coupe, CUV, or station wagon/sedan delivery.

Originally Posted by TFA

the ET7's front windshield inclination angle, radii and angles between the headlights and the front fenders, fastback design and ducktail spoiler, C pillar character lines, approach and departure angles, and wheels are optimized to make the model more aerodynamic.

In the meantime, the Watchtower sensor layout on the roof, on the one hand, enables a more commanding view of the ultralong-range high-resolution LiDAR and 8-megapixel high-resolution cameras, and redefines the exterior design in the autonomous driving era, yet on the other hand, it also poses a huge challenge to the vehicle's aero efficiency. The aerodynamics team has spared no efforts in perfecting the inclination and radii of the LiDAR and cameras, and excelling its aerodynamic performance."

1958 Merc Turnpike Cruiser, WRC race cars and big rig clearance lights nod approvingly.