The *Ultimate* Aerodynamic Car? Dave Cloud's "Dolphin"

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I don't remember the Cd on the Oldsmobile, but the biggest aero issue is the rear track is the same width as the front...

We got into the AEROTECH over at MaxMpg and someone posted Cd 0.19 for the long-tail version,no numbers for the short tail.
The Porsche 917 Kurz/Lange models might provide some insight,I believe Cds are published for both variants.
I'm pretty sure that the Lange Heck version is Cd 0.33,which makes the AEROTECH look pretty sweet!

[The Toecutter]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

If I actually knew more about it than the 3 sentences posted previously along with some references, I'd be happy to create an entry... have any references?

I can't speak for him, but I do have references.

(b) GM Aero 2000, Cd=0.23 (ref 4.93)
(c) GM Aero 2002, Cd=0.14 (ref 4.93)

...

4.92 Ford Motor Company: The Ford Probe IV Programme, Geneva 1983.
4.93 Five GM Concept models. Car Styling 44, Autumn 1983, pp 6-23

The above was taken from:

Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles
Edited by Wolf-Heinrich Hucho
(c) Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd, 1987
Boston
(c)1987



Myself, I'm interested in finding data on these cars with regard to curb weight, horsepower, top speed, acceleration, fuel economy, and other relevant data. Some day I will obtain copies of those papers referenced in the above book.

[RobertSmalls]

WorldCat.org: The World's Largest Library Catalog is a great resource. Most university libraries are open to the public, so you may find interesting reading local to you.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

WorldCat.org: The World's Largest Library Catalog is a great resource. Most university libraries are open to the public, so you may find interesting reading local to you.

That is very cool, though I'm at a loss how I could find a book relevant to the GM Aero 2000... I tried a few different search terms without any luck...

Originally Posted by The Toecutter

I can't speak for him, but I do have references.

Thank you, Toecutter! Is that the only related content within that book? Sounds like it'd be an interesting book, but the nearest library that has it (according to WorldCat) is University of Michigan (a bit of a drive from Cali!). That's 4 sentences now...

Getting a little far off topic... Maybe the GM Aero concept cars need their own thread?

[The Toecutter]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

Thank you, Toecutter! Is that the only related content within that book?

No it is not. There are also photographs of the GM Aero 2000 and 2002 within that book. I have been unsuccessful in finding any other information on those cars, although those two articles referenced within that book may lead to more, in the event someone here has a copy of them.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by The Toecutter

I can't speak for him, but I do have references.

(b) GM Aero 2000, Cd=0.23 (ref 4.93)
(c) GM Aero 2002, Cd=0.14 (ref 4.93)

...

4.92 Ford Motor Company: The Ford Probe IV Programme, Geneva 1983.
4.93 Five GM Concept models. Car Styling 44, Autumn 1983, pp 6-23

The above was taken from:

Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles
Edited by Wolf-Heinrich Hucho
(c) Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd, 1987
Boston
(c)1987



Myself, I'm interested in finding data on these cars with regard to curb weight, horsepower, top speed, acceleration, fuel economy, and other relevant data. Some day I will obtain copies of those papers referenced in the above book.

I have articles on the cars you mentioned,I'll try 'n remember to grab them for Saturday.No guarantees,but they might have the data you need.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by The Toecutter

I can't speak for him, but I do have references.

(b) GM Aero 2000, Cd=0.23 (ref 4.93)
(c) GM Aero 2002, Cd=0.14 (ref 4.93)

...

4.92 Ford Motor Company: The Ford Probe IV Programme, Geneva 1983.
4.93 Five GM Concept models. Car Styling 44, Autumn 1983, pp 6-23

The above was taken from:

Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles
Edited by Wolf-Heinrich Hucho
(c) Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd, 1987
Boston
(c)1987



Myself, I'm interested in finding data on these cars with regard to curb weight, horsepower, top speed, acceleration, fuel economy, and other relevant data. Some day I will obtain copies of those papers referenced in the above book.

I struck out on the Aero 2002,I have zero data on it.Sorry!
I did find a brief article on the Aero 2000 and posted that data as a separate thread.Hope it helps.

[menaus2]

Simply amazing! I'm impressed with the range it gets with nothing other than uncompromising aerodynamics. Imagine a carbon fiber body + Li-Ion batteries + proper motor.... *drool* For the same price as the volt, you could build something vastly more efficient.

[The Toecutter]

If Dave Cloud would build a kit, a 96V Sepex setup with 8 Elecsol 250F in series for 96Vnom would compliment its body nicely. You'd have a sub $8000 conversion that weighs 900 lbs less than Dave Cloud's prototype, with a real world 120+ mile range at highway speeds of 60 mph and 80-100 miles range new EPA highway cycle, and a battery pack that is supposedly so durable that the manufacturer warranties it for 7 years. This assumes 120 Wh/mile at 60 mph. The real figures would probably be a bit higher since Dave Cloud has some driveline vibrations to correct and could benefit from tires with about half the rolling resistance, leading to the possibility that it could be a 90 Wh/mile EV at 60 mph. And with a single motor Sepex setup, it would have regen.

Other possibilities include keeping a transmission, and modifying a Netgain 8" for high voltage, for say, a 240V 400A setup. Can you say 150+ mph?

If Dave made a kit, I would buy one...

[ShadeTreeMech]

Originally Posted by The Toecutter

If Dave made a kit, I would buy one...

Same here!!!