Urba Centurion Update - (Kubota diesel, 100+ MPG in mixed driving - Fall 2012 on)

[RedDevil]

The simple reason for the seemingly mismatched camber is that part of the track!

Look under the car, then you see that the front right seems to dip deeper than the front left.
At the rear it is the other way round.
The track is warped! And it is a curve anyway.
Of course the commenting kid did not notice that.

Even worse 'camber':

[changzuki]

For the jeep you show that is a good explanation but for Centurion in a totally flat parking lot the same visual exists. As stated earlier, it's all in the specs:
Triumph Spitfire Wheel Alignments
.
.
Bob Gillespie even did a nice job picking this up in his rendition at the very flat Start/Finish line:
.

.
.
~CrazyJerry

[Xist]

Doesn't every car have a bit of that? I once asked a tire guy, who said that I was crazy, but I always see it.

[RedDevil]

It is a bit of both I guess.

In the case of the track photo I drew lines through the rear bumper, rear wheel contact spots and front wheel (estimated) contact spots; none of them runs parallel.
The car is listing to the right and the track is not flat.
It augments the effect at the very least.

It seems like it is a bit low to the ground in the back too, should it be like that?
Maybe transfering some weight to the front or raising the rear suspension would bring the wheels more in line?
It would also help aero wise, a raised back works more or less like an air dam.

[changzuki]

Like people, Centurion has good and bad days.
Today however, was an exceptionally good day because she finally got to do what she does best!
- Set another fuel economy record? Nope.
- Surpassed her previous speed record of 88 mph? 'Fraid not.
- Coming off a red light, outran a fully loaded UPS truck? Was actually to close to call!!!
.
From inception Centurion's real strength (and where her future lies) is with the younger crowd. A racy looking car, walking a fine line of breaking all the rules, and sporting attitude, this modern day "Little Engine that could" connects with everyone for a variety of reasons, and it tends to offer inspiration to those coming up through the ranks.
.
Today was yet another one of those days! Brandon Baldwin, from SUNY Canton's Automotive program thought his students would be quite interested in seeing Centurion and hearing about the Green Grand Prix. For the record, he was right on!
.
Approximately 15 students from that graduating class learned:
.
- Who Robert Q. Riley is (Centurion's original designer) and one of the students is holding the original Mechanix Illustrated magazine from Feb 1982 with the original Centurion on the front cover. Another student is holding a large frame which contains one of Riley's mechanical blueprints included in the plans to build the car (also circa 1982).
.
- What the Toyota Green Grand Prix is, and how Robert Gillespie created this event to be educational, and to promote innovation in sustainable transportation technologies. From Centurion's last two year's at the event, photo displays were setup depicting the most memorable highlights. A student from the automotive class holds a promotional poster of the 2015 Green Grand Prix.
.
- How Centurion achieved it's phenomenal two-year record setting runs using only the simplest of technology combined with driving technique. Part of this segment included ecomodder.com which is displayed on each door's window.
.
Centurion drew head scratching, laughs, and miles of smiles from these students.
.

.
These types of events are where this project shines the most and I hope there is a long road of these ahead for Centurion!
~CrazyJerry

[changzuki]

Part of Centurion's success at the 2015 Green Grand Prix came as a result of more critique and careful planning.
.
One such change was quite obvious to even the untrained eye.
.
BEHOLD! The rear window "milli-kamback:
.

.
(Photo courtesy of: Gasoline Fumes - 2015 Green Grand Prix)
.
.
Not mentioned in the original plans, it should also come as no surprise that it's not available in the Centurion performance parts catalog either. With only an hour before departure time, construction needed to be swift as well as precise.
.
Due to the proprietary nature of the technology that went into this, the following are the only known photos that give us a hint about materials and construction :
.

.

.
(Photos courtesy of the FOIA - Centurion Classified Photos - April 2015)
.
.
Sometimes I rescue usable stuff from the dump!
.

.
.
Life is a highway, enjoy the ride!
.
~CrazyJerry

[GreenHornet]

I was wondering what you did there

Now are these Just for eye candy or are they functional for helping inside air flow?

Either way that is awesome

GH..

[changzuki]

Originally Posted by GreenHornet

I was wondering what you did there

Now are these Just for eye candy or are they functional for helping inside air flow?

Either way that is awesome

GH..

Thanks GH! The primary goal was to cut down on cabin temps due to its small size and comparatively large amount of glass. Tint on the rear window helped a little but nothing like the louvres do.

I suppose there are views about whether it helps or hurts mpg. If there is a hit, I'm not seeing it. Rear view mirror visibility is not impaired.

~CrazyJerry

[GreenHornet]

I am curious how you sealed up those guys from the elements? I was considering doing away completely with the back hatch glass as well. I think it is overkill and definitely causes cabin temp issues. Being that the car is well insulated the heat just gets stuck in there I imagine. I think this is one area of the car design that needed a major upgrade. Most modern cars don't have to worry with there AC systems but Centurions don't sport these luxuries. I think you nailed it with the louvers CJ great job

Every year the car just keeps getting better and better it is a masterpiece

GH..

[changzuki]

Thanks for the kind words GreenHornet! A bit beat up in spots, but hey, I'll go with masterpiece!

Internal venting at this point is really not too bad. We have more chilly weather than hot weather so the "insulation" really helps the heater to be more than sufficient.

More adventures to come!!
~CrazyJerry