What car would you CREATE?

[freebeard]

You get better mileage with a tall narrow tire.


http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ner-19433.html

How about with an electric conversion and a basalt fiber skin on that body?

[AJI]

I'd create something like the Volkswagen Nils concept - or just patiently wait for VW to go through with it themselves.



Small, one-seat, lightweight, electric power, futuristic looks, should be pretty good fun to drive. All I need in a commuter, but with a bit of quality to it.

Failing that, a first-gen Insight with the second-gen Insight's drivetrain would be an interesting idea. A little more weight and no lean burn, but useful extra power, still very clean emissions-wise, and still the potential for great economy - given the engine would be pulling the best part of 350kg/770lbs less, the performance/economy balance would still be pretty good.

[freebeard]

Needs more boat tail.

The NILS has always been a favorite of mine. It's like a single-passenger four-wheel version of the Arcimoto SRK, with better surface detailing.



It has the same 3-piece windshield and the door[s] on four-bar linkage like the Arcimoto Eagle door, but it has those taillights on a 'horizontal stabilizer' to compensate for the body taper. And I like the raised, 'push pad' front and rear bumpers.

[AlexanderB]

It feels vaguely remeniscent of the Renault Twizy, and you can already buy one of those..?

[AJI]

Originally Posted by AlexanderB

It feels vaguely remeniscent of the Renault Twizy, and you can already buy one of those..?

There are similarities for sure, but the Nils is lower and longer, and has a fully-enclosed cockpit.

I've driven the Twizy. It's fun to drive, but your misery increases proportionally to how wet and cold it is outside.

I sat in the Nils prototype at the Frankfurt show when it was launched. Felt much higher quality than the Twizy, too - more like a regular car.

[AlexanderB]

Thats true, the whole idea of the Twizzy was that its super bare bones, the exact opposite of the 2-ton-Tesla.

[elhigh]

I've fantasized about building an ultralightweight city car.

The structure I have in mind is something like the original Velorex, a skin stretched over a frame. But to make it stronger, I would impregnate the skin after installation to make it rigid and bond it to the frame, so it would contribute meaningfully to the vehicle's overall rigidity and crashworthiness.

My ultimate goal would be to build the lightest car possible. I think you could have a fully enclosed chassis that didn't weigh much more than a hundred kilos. Add on the glass, passenger accommodations, suspension subframes, engine cradle and everything else, and it should be possible to have a small, roadworthy car that will comfortably seat two abreast that doesn't weigh more than 500 kilos.

I think. I'm not an engineer. But this car wouldn't be intended for long trips, so it needn't have tremendous cargo capacity or even a very large fuel tank. If it could reliably deliver 50 mpg from a small diesel drivetrain, a 5-gallon fuel tank would be 250 miles of range. That's almost as much as I can consistently get out of my Forester, which is ostensibly a "real" car with "real" range (and a heck of a lot more than it would get if I only drove it in the city). If you're going to take a long trip, scoot out to the rental place with your little city runabout, pick up a real car and scoot back.

In my head, the concept is part Isetta, part Edison2 VLC, part Mercedes Boxfish concept and part wicker basket.

[freebeard]

I've fantasized about building an ultralightweight city car....In my head

Me too!

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/messerschmitt-24546.html

Currently, it's an Arcimoto SRK with a two-wheel bogie replacing the single rear wheel; and a body kit made from basalt fiber mesh shell with a basalt fiber twill skin. Shaped like a Sikorsky HH-52!


http://survincity.com/2010/05/the-he...ky-hh-52-s-62/

...Or maybe the spinner from Blade Runner:2049.

[order99]

Well, driving Little Wing (my Zen-n 50 cc scooter) has been giving me some ideas...I want a car I can wrench, screw OBD-2 and $1000+ computer chip/sensor replacements! Also, I must work within NC state DOT laws. SOoooooo......

1) Get my full motorcycle endorsement (just need to budget some time).

2) Pick up a used (or new if I have no choice) 150cc scooter along the lines of a GY6, get title work, insurance etc.

3) Strip the body bare of panels/seat-cut frame and lengthen by roughly 8 or 9 inches.

4) Purchase and install a two-wheeled front end steering kit-shorten steering column by as much as a foot.

5) Size and build a sidecar-style seating pod and place directly on frame where the footrests normally go, steering column will now be roughly between calves and the lower center of gravity will lend stability in turns since vehicle will no longer lean.

6) Extra space behind rider will contain a 5-7 gallon fuel tank and behind that will be a trunk at least as large(if not larger, depending on factors) as a Harley Touring trunk. Engine will be under ventilated yet lockable access panels. Cockpit will contain indicators, short plastic windscreen, seat, decor and cupholder ( ) while signals, brakes and accelerator remain on handlebars. Turn and brake signals will be installed in compliance with DOT...then, once it passes inspection I will add a small foldable rain roof.

Estimated costs-as little as $3000 if I stick with used scooter, 1/4" ply and fiberglass for the body work, do the cutting and welding by hand, take my (unpaid) time and then pass inspection the first time without too much head-scratching on the mechanic's part. Now assuming I was rich, used only the best, had a custom shop doing the work and demanded carbon fiber and Aramid for maximum weight savings I could easily break a number of (Other Peoples!) piggybanks...

Estimated Economy-despite the less than perfect Aerodynamics I could easily see 85 or 90 MPG at 60 MPH or so...the inline CVT would keep maximum speed down to maybe 65 or so , and the ease of operation and decent cargo capacity would make this a nice, streetlegal daily driver and a motorcycle trailer would turn it into a decent hauler at roughly 40MPH or less. Repair costs and ease of maintenance would be comparable to a decent lawn mower and parts would remain plentiful.

Best of all it might even be in my (meager) budget someday soon! I like dreams that I have at least a slim chance of fulfilling...

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Currently, it's an Arcimoto SRK with a two-wheel bogie replacing the single rear wheel;

I gotta ask - and I think I've seen that thing in images from you before, a little personal mobility pod with a pair of inline wheels at the tail.

Why the bogie configuration? Is that to replace some of the necessary suspension deflection?