Q:What is this car? A: SolarWorld GT (Cd 0.14 solar car going around the world)

[NeilBlanchard]

Very cool Phil -- this thread should get combined with the main thread, I think?

Cd 0.137 is so amazing.

5 atmospheres -- 75psi?

[Cd]

Originally Posted by aerohead

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The rear transom bulkhead has room for license plate,lights,and 'backup' camera ( there is no rearview or sideview mirrors ).
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( There car has camera mirrors on the doors as well )

[Cd]

So Phil - besides additional frontal area, what would be the hit in drag if the tires were 'real world' width versus the skinny bicycle style ?

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Very cool Phil -- this thread should get combined with the main thread, I think?

Merged Phil's report into the larger Solarworld GT discussion.

[NeilBlanchard]

Thanks Darin. And I hope you can post your pictures, Phil -- the more pictures up on the Internet of this car the better. We need all the publicity for good looking über aerodynamic cars we can get!

We are still hoping for specific power consumption per mile at a specific miles per hour. The range numbers have been ~170 miles or ~240 miles, and we now know the pack size, but those range numbers are probably going slow (~30mph?) and we don't know if they include power from the panels during the drive. It would be good to know if they park it for a while in the sun, then drive it, then park again at the end of the day.

[MetroMPG]

Since it was a competition car, we can be pretty sure the panels feed the pack en-route, as well as when stopped.

[NeilBlanchard]

Right, so that is why the consumption per mile would be nice to know. I hope they can share what a typical drive is like.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Cd

So Phil - besides additional frontal area, what would be the hit in drag if the tires were 'real world' width versus the skinny bicycle style ?

As far as the Cd goes I think it's a wash.We can argue over the published numbers,but many 'pumpkin seed' cars with real tires achieved 0.12-0.13 when faired in.My opinion is that they can be compensated for,no problem.
It might be a '4-seasons' issue,when snow and ice is in the equation.
The truck is sitting at around Cd 0.18 without the complete tail or comprehensive wheel fairings.I don't think 0.13 will be a problem at all.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Thanks Darin. And I hope you can post your pictures, Phil -- the more pictures up on the Internet of this car the better. We need all the publicity for good looking über aerodynamic cars we can get!

We are still hoping for specific power consumption per mile at a specific miles per hour. The range numbers have been ~170 miles or ~240 miles, and we now know the pack size, but those range numbers are probably going slow (~30mph?) and we don't know if they include power from the panels during the drive. It would be good to know if they park it for a while in the sun, then drive it, then park again at the end of the day.

The team leader claimed that the PV array was good for around 850-Watts,which would propel the car at 31 mph (50 km/h ).
The car has regenerative braking,but typically does not use it during racing.
They recharge the battery overnight.
The 100-lb Lithium battery has a 7-hour driving capacity @ 31 mph.
Top speed with battery assist is 61 mph,just short of 100 km/h.
The team is not concerned with speed.They're content with 150 km/day.They'll take a year to do the round the world Guinness record.
I've got a dozen or so photos.Al Glidewell was swamped with work Saturday,so no chance to post 'em.I'll try again this coming Saturday.
PS At the last N.American Solar Challenge I attended,the teams charged in the morning sun before departure,then again in the late afternoon after the days race segment.

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by aerohead

From Texas,the team will go on to Florida,finish in S.Carolina ( I hope basjoos can make it there with AERO CIVIC ),

I'd be interested, but they don't list any open to the public events in South Carolina. The last one on their list is in Tallahassee, FL. I'd assume they would be loading their car on a ship at the port of Charleston for the trip to Europe.