"Stella" - the world's first solar powered family car (TU/e)

[wickydude]

The TU Eindhoven just presented Stella Lux, the updated version:
Stella Lux - Solar Team Eindhoven | Solar Team Eindhoven

[NeilBlanchard]

Well, this was unexpected:

[Xist]

The aerodynamic design has an important role in this: consider, for example, the tunnel which runs through the center of the car.

I actually clicked on the link hoping they would explain the tunnel. No, they just say that it is aerodynamic.

The door itself is part of the seat which gives you a spacious interior experience.

That does not make sense to me, either.

I did not find much else on that site.

[wickydude]

I suspect the tunnel is for reduction of frontal area. The whole car looks weird anyway, so that bit is ok :P

[niky]

Same thoughts. They've probably designed the tunnel for as little turbulence as possible, and cut out that section completely to reduce total CdA.

Looks wicked. Where can I buy one?

Also... OMG, somebody give their web optimization guys a quick rap on the head... my browser is choking on those pics!

[RedDevil]

I think the tunnel may also give more structural strength than an entirely flat floor would. It is carbon fiber all right.
On the whole this incarnation looks much more solid, separate doors instead of a flimsy double sized wing door and no B pillar.

I like what they did to the back... fold the lower part of the sides in to reduce the wake, rather than a cone tail.

Don't think that is particularly safe for road use though, wouldn't like to run into that sharp rear edge.

[markweatherill]

Oh man! Surely that tunnel is a step too far. And the front seats still look like they're much too far back.
The front would do better to take cues from the iMiev. In fact the iMiev Sport concept was a more practical looking thing than this.

I just realised what this looks like. A futuristic monorail carriage...

[RedDevil]

You could not drive the iMiev for 200 miles on one charge even if it was entirely coated in high grade solar cells.

This baby can drive over 400 miles (700 km) on one charge, and up to 600 miles in the (Dutch) summer...



In June you can drive this car for 200 miles a day, every day, without ever needing to charge it.
In the winter you'd need one charge a week to maintain 200 miles daily.
If you drive like say 60 miles a day you'd probably never need to charge it.
Blows my mind!

[Xist]

It would be weird to need to park my car in the sun...

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by Xist

It would be weird to need to park my car in the sun...

I do that! I park nose heading to where the sun will be when I return so the sun heats up the engine bay. Unless it is really hot like these days (over 30°C), then the A/C would eat whatever I've gained.