SIM-LEI aero EV achieves 84Wh/km @ 100kph - 207 miles on a ~24kWh pack! Cd is 0.19

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Having said that, the bulging headlights could be eliminated, if they used video mirrors

Also learned in the video: the mirrors are apparently the smallest permissible by law.

So those "small" conventional mirrors also have video cameras incorporated to expand the field of view via screens in the cabin.

[cfg83]

Hello -

I wish the initial designs were viable :



CarloSW2

[NeilBlanchard]

I agree the earlier concepts were better looking -- and I'm sure the working prototype could be a lot better looking with a skilled designer; like for example Jason Hill.

The Cd could be further improved with smooth wheels and a few other changes, I'm sure. This car seems to fit with a theory of mine that the energy consumption overall more closely tracks the Cd and overall drag (CdA) than weight. The Edison2 VLCe got about 108Wh/mile (at ~45MPH average) and it's Cd is 0.161. This car got ~134Wh/mile (at ~55MPH) with a Cd of 0.19. I think the in hub motors of the SIM-LEI are more efficient than the DC drive used on the Edison2 VLCe; so it is hard to make a direct and exact comparison.

I also like the combination optical / video mirrors -- this is the best of both worlds, I think. The rear view screen is HUGE!

[NeilBlanchard]

This is the second or third most efficient car ever built. Think about that...

And it is certainly the quickest and roomiest of this elite class. The other cars that are at the top of the list: the Edison2 VLC (which has lower aero drag at Cd of 0.161, but lags on drivetrain efficiency a bit), the early Aptera prototype, and the VW L1 prototype.

Other cars that are close to this efficiency are the Illuminati Motor Works 7, the GM EV1, Dave Cloud's Dolphin, and the FVT eVaro. The DBM Energy Kolibri powered A2 is a laggard compared to these...

All of these are low aero drag (the Illuminati 7 is the highest drag, I think?), and only the VW and the Edison2 are low weight. The SIM-LEI is quickest, the eVaro is next, and the 7 is also quick, followed by the EV1. The VLCe and Dolphin are DC drive, so they could be improved with AC drive. The Dolphin is super low drag, but with 1,980 pounds of batteries, it could lose 1,000 pounds and the battery pack could be ~2X greater capacity, and with AC drive it could have 400-500 miles of range.

The VLCe has the shortest range, followed by the EV1. The Dolphin, SIM-LEI, and 7 are all very close with 200+ range. And obviously the L1 and the eVaro have range because of their gen sets.

Who will be the first to have a 400 mile electric car? (At 55-60mph) The DBM Kolibri A2 could well be capable of this. With a 99kWh pack [/lust] it sure as heck *should* be! Drop that pack into the VLCe or the Dolphin or the SIM-LEI and I think they could hit 500-800 miles!

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's a coupla' views of the SIM-LEI car that I have not seen before:

[NeilBlanchard]

They have an updated version, called the SIM-WIL:

New SIM-WIL electric prototype has 218 mile range, in-wheel motors [w/video]

SIM-WIL: SIM-Drive's 351KM-range EV with 5.4 Second 0 - 100KM/H Performance | Integrity Exports

SIM-Drive Unveils EV Prototype With Long Drive Range -- Tech-On!





The battery is now significantly larger (35.1kWh vs 24.9kWh) and it now consumes a smidge less than 100Wh/mile. So that speaks to a higher Cd than the SIM-LEI.

They have lightened it by ~70kg, and more importantly, it looks smoother. I would like to see the longer tail on the blue car. Please note the active grill louver. They are talking about production in 2014 -- kewl!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OFHkliihm78#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he6fVX7tgGs

[Daox]

Unfortunately, if the want to go to production the'll probably have to massage the body a bit more to get customer acceptance. I think both the LEI and WIL look awesome though.

[MetroMPG]

To me this looks as though it could be produced by Mitsubishi. Could be the nerdier, more efficient cousin of the iMIEV.

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

They have an updated version, called the SIM-WIL:



... They are talking about production in 2014 -- kewl!!

I'd wait a couple of years for this car based on looks alone.
It's like the Gen I Honda Insight and Gen II Prius.
It's got an attitude.
It screams,

This is different!
The differentness has a meaningful purpose.
This is the future.
WAKE UP!
Pay attention!

The excellent specs are a bonus.
And I really like the new rear-end treatment and rear skirts.



(Looks like the rear lights might form an aero "rear cavity." )

This car has officially dethroned my up-to-now-favorite EV prototype
with an attitude, the might be a distant cousin, Mistu i-MiEV Sport...

And as a double bonus, the SIM-WIL has the volume to be a practical,
useful in the real world, car. Wonderful!

I want one in Arrest-Me Red.

Neil, thank you buckets.

[Braebyrn]

Originally Posted by Rokeby

(Looks like the rear lights might form an aero "rear cavity." )

What is the effect of the aero cavity?