03-26-2017, 05:41 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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New Lotus Elise adds MORE lightness: new benchmark of 1759 lbs (798 kg)
In recent news from the "Always Room for Improvement" department...
If you're tired of driving around in a portly Mitsubishi Mirage (2,018 lbs base 2017 5-speed U.S. model), overweight last gen. Metro (~1800-1850 lbs?), or fat-cat 1st generation Insight (1878 lbs), Lotus has your car.
They managed to shave 90 lbs from an already featherweight 1,849 lb car, and in doing so created a "Sprint" special edition:
Quote:
- the battery, now replaced with a new lightweight lithium-ion pack that sheds around 20 pounds.
- open shifter (1.1 pounds),
- carbon fiber race seats (13 pounds),
- polycarbonate materials for the access panel, roll hoop cover, and engine cover, saving another 13 pounds.
- optional two-piece brake rotors cut another nine pounds,
- new wheel design saves an additional 11 pounds
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Lotus Elise Somehow Sheds 90 Pounds for New Sprint Special Edition - Motor Trend
They only half-followed Chapman's philosophy though, because I don't think most of those mods count as "simplifying" to add lightness.
This news made me feel like such a slacker: it reminded me I've been driving my Firefly for ~11 years with rear factory speakers that have never even been hooked up. Together they might weigh 3 lbs? Think of the cumulative fuel and performance penalty!
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03-26-2017, 08:46 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Corporate imperialist
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Sounds like it not just sprung weight, they did a good job reducing rotating mass too.
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03-26-2017, 11:30 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Corporate imperialist
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I worked with a guy at Langley up until 2008 he had a lotus that was fairly new at the time. Said the gas tank was up front and it was dangerous to drive when it was raining and when it's gas got below less than half a tank.
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1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
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03-26-2017, 11:46 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Eco Sol
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Sure it sexy. That thing makes my Del Sol seem like a tank by comparison... In looks and weight
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03-27-2017, 03:17 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I still won't be able to afford one, no matter how much they take off the car.  |
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03-27-2017, 03:33 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Eco-ventor
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It's like lady's underwear: You pay more for less!
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2016: 128.75L for 1875.00km => 6.87L/100km (34.3MPG US)
2017: 209.14L for 4244.00km => 4.93L/100km (47.7MPG US)
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03-27-2017, 12:02 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
This news made me feel like such a slacker: it reminded me I've been driving my Firefly for ~11 years with rear factory speakers that have never even been hooked up. Together they might weigh 3 lbs? Think of the cumulative fuel and performance penalty!
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Factory speakers are super flimsy, usually less than a pound for the pair I'd guess, so don't feel too bad  |
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03-27-2017, 12:42 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Eco Sol
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When I see cars like this though, it makes me think... Hmm what could I do to my car with $42k (cost of Elise) instead of spending it on that. Heck I would run out of ideas after the first $15k and end up dropping the remaining $27k on the house.
I guess that's why these car manufacturers don't market themselves towards people like me.
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03-27-2017, 02:47 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shortie771
When I see cars like this though, it makes me think... Hmm what could I do to my car with $42k (cost of Elise) instead of spending it on that.
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Yet it's easily possible to spend that much - even twice that much - on an fancy oversized, overweight "handles like a waterbed" pickup or SUV.
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