Linner Strømlinet Vogn (Now with 3D model!)

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

A couple of percent is not even detectable without highly accurate instrumentation. I know; I've tried it.

Sure, the small reductions in fuel use are hard to spot.

But in order to significantly reduce the Cd on production cars, we're going to need a miracle aerodynamic breakthrough, or we're going to have to apply all those 2% ecomods.

The better it already is, the harder it is to improve upon.

Loremo is but one example of a low Cd skirtless design and at .20 it's well below .25.

Unfortunately, it's a prototype value as there's no production so far.

[Frank Lee]

We mainly need to just get people out of SUVs and pickups.

[Big Dave]

To get me out my Super Duty, somebody is gonna have to make something other than FWD automatic transmission midget-mobiles.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

We mainly need to just get people out of SUVs and pickups.

You know that's not going to happen in America until gas goes sky-high again.

Originally Posted by Big Dave

To get me out my Super Duty, somebody is gonna have to make something other than FWD automatic transmission midget-mobiles.

Who said this was automatic? Most of the cars on this forum are manuals, and the Strømlinet Vogn is no different (although it will be offered with an automatic).

I can't help you with the RWD thing. You might have to buy a sports car

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

To get me out my Super Duty, somebody is gonna have to make something other than FWD automatic transmission midget-mobiles.

Quite a few people do.

Originally Posted by Sven7

Who said this was automatic? Most of the cars on this forum are manuals, and the Strømlinet Vogn is no different (although it will be offered with an automatic).

If you are still planning on using the Aygo/iQ power unit there is a 5MT option - kind of a simpler version of the DSG style semi / full auto thing in VWs.

Originally Posted by Sven7

I can't help you with the RWD thing. You might have to buy a sports car

I'll just park this here.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

We mainly need to just get people out of SUVs and pickups.

My theory applies to Michigan and it's pot holed roads, add in some wet snow and the SUV and Pick-Up trucks make total sense.

Better roads and you could see a return to cars in lieu of light trucks.

Take the power steering, power brakes and 7 second 0-60 times out of that segment and watch it die a fast death.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

If you are still planning on using the Aygo/iQ power unit there is a 5MT option - kind of a simpler version of the DSG style semi / full auto thing in VWs.

I am, thanks. Does it have a clutch, though? Because that's half the point of a manual.

I'll just park this here.

Those are still FWD, silly. Well, some are AWD but those were more expensive. No one makes RWD economy or midsize cars anymore- they're all luxo or sport rockets. Then again, there's always the BMW E30. Dave, have you considered an E30?

Originally Posted by kach22i

My theory applies to Michigan and it's pot holed roads, add in some wet snow and the SUV and Pick-Up trucks make total sense.

Better roads and you could see a return to cars in lieu of light trucks.

Take the power steering, power brakes and 7 second 0-60 times out of that segment and watch it die a fast death.

Sorry, but i'm tired of hearing that excuse. Jesse "The Mind" Ventura tried to tell us his Hummer H2 purchase was because of Minnesota winters. We all know that was baloney. I drove my lowered Rabbit through the entire last winter and the only time I got stuck was purposefully driving into about a foot of unplowed snow during a snowstorm. Even then I'm sure if I had more than 4 inches of ground clearance it would have been fine.

All you need in the snow is skinny tires and weight over the drive wheels. 4WD is for off-road trails.



Easy peasy.

[Sven7]

[CFECO]

How about this? It is the light pick-up version, of my propane-electric X-Car series, obviously the Photoshop rendition here. This truck has, an extendable bed which can be pulled out to accept 4x8 sheets of plywood, 1/2 ton capacity, a retractable bed cap, and a "5th wheel" centered between the rear wheels with it's own air spring, to compensate for load changes. The rear seat and bulkhead also folds down for max bed length. AWD would be an option by putting the electric drive on the front wheels, and since the vehicles have air suspension, it would be easy to raise the vehicle height for extra ground clearance.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Sorry, but i'm tired of hearing that excuse. Jesse "The Mind" Ventura tried to tell us his Hummer H2 purchase was because of Minnesota winters. We all know that was baloney. I drove my lowered Rabbit through the entire last winter and the only time I got stuck was purposefully driving into about a foot of unplowed snow during a snowstorm. Even then I'm sure if I had more than 4 inches of ground clearance it would have been fine.

All you need in the snow is skinny tires and weight over the drive wheels. 4WD is for off-road trails.

Easy peasy.

Yeah I hate the "I need 4wd because of snow" too. I've been in some nasty conditions (spent many winters in Alaska) and never needed 4WD.

Almost ANY car is fine in the snow as long as you have good tires. Experience in driving in the snow makes a big difference too. There are very few places that your typical FWD econobox can't get to with just a set of good snow tires (with studs if you encounter ice regularly).

That said, I'd much rather drive a RWD. Dry, wet, snow, whatever. I greatly prefer the handling dynamics. Unfortunately, there are very few RWD economy cars.