Them good old Donut boys discussed Tyler Phase's ecomodded Ioniq hybrid

[Xist]

At 6:25:
Donut video: https://youtu.be/aG7-OsAi8_4
Taylor Phase's reaction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF2l-EwSUmw

Originally Posted by TaylorPhase

People keep asking how I made these mods. The material I used is just basic ABS plastic — you can order it easily. At first I used cardboard, but later I switched to something more secure. The wheel covers are made from a material called Dibond. I bought an off‑brand version from Home Depot because it’s firm, easier to shape than sheet metal, and still lightweight.

The little wheel deflectors are literally yoga blocks cut in half. Altogether it’s probably around $50 worth of material, but I’ve saved hundreds of dollars in gas, so it’s a good investment.

A lot of people suggest blocking off the grill, but my car has active grille shutters, so the front is already enclosed. That’s how I’m getting over 90 miles per gallon.

Originally Posted by Donut Boys

As long as the mods are safe, stay attached, and don’t fly off, I’m all for it. There are some rules to this kind of thing, but what he’s done is really cool. We once did something similar on a long trip — we added cardboard paneling to improve fuel mileage, and it actually worked. There’s real science behind this.

Since this is his daily driver and he wanted better fuel efficiency, he elongated the car, covered the rear wheel, and everything looks functional. He used cheap materials that stay on the car, don’t block the taillights, and can be removed easily if he needs to access the wheel. As long as nothing rubs, it’s fantastic.

Of course, this kind of mod makes the most sense if you drive a lot of highway miles. If you’re mostly in the city, it won’t help much. But for long commutes, it’s great.

He even painted the spike and blended the ABS into the rest of the car. The wheel cover is paint‑matched, which looks really good. The only thing I’d add is an air dam or front lip to reduce drag even more — that could improve mileage further and let him drive faster with less resistance.

Tires are the least aerodynamic part of a vehicle, which is why covering the rear wheel helps so much. Since the rear wheel doesn’t steer, it’s perfect for a cover. Overall, he’s done a great job.

Wendifur_ wrote: "that is a Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, he saves hundreds of gas because it's a hybrid. I get upwards of 68 mpg on mine lol. He's BSing and it's funny he's trying his hardest not to show what kind of car it is."
TaylorPhase wrote: Hey I’m the guy with the 90 mpg car! Thanks for being one of the only people to bash it. It gets a ton of hate but it works for lots of highway miles! I’d have to disagree about the front lip. That helps with down force but increases drag, especially since the underside of the car is pretty smooth and flat. If you have a very messy underside, then yes an air dam can help. It depends on many factors. Side note to other car users, this is a Hyundai Ioniq. It has a higher base MPG than even a Prius. Don’t expect to get 90 MPG if you’re doing this to a random Honda or Mazda. It’ll still improve MPG on the highway regardless of car."

He also had a mirror delete.
He has a channel with 18,800 subscribers.
He said he could replace the spoiler in order to extend the roofline, but he'd need to do pressure measurements.
He has an Oregon plate and reading the Champrius thread, Phase had an Ioniq hybrid and was in Oregon.
Phase was kind enough to include this:


Phase hasn't been active for a year.

[Xist]

Hey freebeard! Dibond is polymetal!
Maybe you knew that, but I kept wondering what it was!

[freebeard]

For the lurkers and bots: Making the Ioniq slippier

[Xist]

I skimmed the first 80 comments and Phase didn't seem far into his origin story.

[freebeard]

FYI:

ACM 6mm (Poly-Metal) - Blue Ridge Sign Supply Inc
These 4' x 8' sheets are 6mm (1/4") thick and s uitable for all types of interior and exterior signage, displays, projects and more... * Brushed Finish: Limited supply, lead times may vary. Trade names Dibond ® Maxmetal ® Alucobond ® Alucore ® ACM Polymetal Common Uses Interior/Exterior Signage Displays...