Vauxhall to show shape-shifting 175mpg 125 mph Flextreme GT/E hybrid

[rbrowning]

Has anyone see this article over at Gizmag? Sounds like an interesting concept, hope it woks well when covered by ice and snow.

Vauxhall to show shape-shifting 175mpg 125 mph Flextreme GT/E hybrid

[Piwoslaw]

Add mirrors, jacked up suspension and smaller wheels, and the Cd is no longer 0.22.

So little panels slide out of the rear slots and make this a super efficient shapeshifter? Why can't the panels be stationary, reducing complexity?

OK, it's nice that there is yet another prototype built for efficiency, and it'll be even better if it makes it to production, but I think there is too much hype in the article. I thought the shape shifting would change at least half of the car's shape. Interesting, though.

[MetroMPG]

Some interesting aero candy.

Too bad they can't resist hyping the silly MPG numbers, a la Chevy Volt. Verges on deceptive.

[Bicycle Bob]

Any guesses on why it even needs an air extraction slot there? To blow out some extra hype, perhaps? It is an awful newsworthy way to sharpen up a trailing edge for a cleaner transition.

[moonmonkey]

looks neat, but im with piwoslaw it does'nt need to morph, make it a stationary body so its affordable, (how do you get in it that long side glass looks like a solid peice.

[RobertSmalls]

If you turn up the gamma, you can see that it's actually a four-door. The shape is aerodynamically roughly the same as that of the new Hondas (Crosstour, Insight, CRZ), but with an Opel badge and taillights where Honda would put their lower hatch glass.



Here's a closeup of the vents, which appear to be a way for air to exit the rear wheelwells. I would prefer to simply keep air out of the wells in the first place, and to trim away the muscular-looking region above the wheel.

[gone-ot]

...gotta "love" those automotive "show car" engineering exercises in futitility that only demonstrate what "COULD be done" and not what "IS being done" in their car lines.

...bet those design team members are as frustrated about the "wasted" opportunities as we are.

[cfg83]

rbowning -

Here's the Green Car Congress version of same :

Green Car Congress: Opel Flextreme GT/E Extended Range Electric Vehicle Concept to Debut at Geneva Show

The Flextreme GT/E also explores the potential for active shape shifting. At speeds above 50 km/h, a vertical panel extends along the body from the air extraction slot behind each rear wheel-arch. These 350 mm-long side spoilers guide high-speed airflow around the rear corners of the car, further reducing the amount of turbulence.

Mass reduction measures for the body include the use of lightweight, carbon composite outer panels, polycarbonate window glazing and aluminum alloy structural components. Compared to conventional materials, these offer a 40% weight saving which further contributes to reduced energy consumption and an increased driving range.

I don't mind the shape-shifting part because we already have active-spoilers for cars like the new VW Beetles. It's just concept-bling that may not see the light of day anyway. Make it a bling option for more $$ and/or an Eco-package-bling option?!?!?! Ha ha, you could put your an advertisement on it that only shows up above X-mph, orrrrrrrrrr, covers an advertisement at X-mph, or BOTH!!!!

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

RobertSmalls -

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

...



Here's a closeup of the vents, which appear to be a way for air to exit the rear wheelwells. I would prefer to simply keep air out of the wells in the first place, and to trim away the muscular-looking region above the wheel.

Yeah, but this picture implies that air is being pulled from the roof :



Maybe we are looking at a very large "Roof NACA Duct"?!?!?!?

CarloSW2

[gone-ot]

...putting the "airo" back in aerodynamics.