Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > General Efficiency Discussion
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 06-20-2014, 10:28 AM   #11 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Newark, OH
Posts: 61

Prius - '16 Toyota Prius Three
Thanks: 2
Thanked 22 Times in 12 Posts
However, the way in which they choose to optimize internal space is to make the vehicle taller.

The kei powertrains can have some decent efficiency engineering, but I suspect a longer, lower vehicle would have better aerodynamics without much weight penalty.

Kei cars make sense in the context of the Japanese space restrictions, sure, but for general efficiency, a longer car makes more sense.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 06-21-2014, 12:56 PM   #12 (permalink)
It's all about Diesel
 
cRiPpLe_rOoStEr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Posts: 12,548
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,447 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhtooefr View Post
However, the way in which they choose to optimize internal space is to make the vehicle taller.

The kei powertrains can have some decent efficiency engineering, but I suspect a longer, lower vehicle would have better aerodynamics without much weight penalty.

Kei cars make sense in the context of the Japanese space restrictions, sure, but for general efficiency, a longer car makes more sense.
Not every Kei car is a high brick-shaped microvan or micro SUV, taking as an example the Mitsubishi i (and the i-MIEV too) and some older ones such as the Daihatsu Mira from the 90s, the Daihatsu Copen and the Subaru Vivio. And the space restrictions are not only a Japanese deal, otherwise there would be no superminis such as the Ford Ka, Volkswagen Fox, Volkswagen Up, Fiat 500, among others.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2014, 01:18 PM   #13 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Newark, OH
Posts: 61

Prius - '16 Toyota Prius Three
Thanks: 2
Thanked 22 Times in 12 Posts
The Copen is also a 2-seater, though, and as I understand, a lot of the "normal" height 4-seat kei cars tend to be quite cramped. (For that matter, the other kei sports cars are known for being cramped despite only being 2-seaters...)
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2014, 01:35 PM   #14 (permalink)
It's all about Diesel
 
cRiPpLe_rOoStEr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Posts: 12,548
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,447 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhtooefr View Post
a lot of the "normal" height 4-seat kei cars tend to be quite cramped
Believe me, they're usually still more comfortable than a 1st-gen Ford Ka, in spite of being about 4-inch shorter.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2014, 08:15 PM   #15 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
kYLEMtnCRUZr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Auburn/Felton CA
Posts: 90

OHRALLY - '99 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Coupe
90 day: 34.06 mpg (US)

COROLLYPOLY - '02 Toyota Corolla LE
90 day: 46.97 mpg (US)
Thanks: 45
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
My neighbor had a two stroke suzuki "Jeep" it was like 4 feet wide 6 feet long haha.

I also drove a Daihatsu or Kia flatbed work truck when I was a parks worker. It was the most gutless thing I have ever drove. An XR50 dirtbike was faster than it. It could climb descent hills though with its knobby tires!

There are some beautiful kei cars out there. Great design in most of them. Others go off the deep end.

And a Honda Beat racing in the mountains of Japan!
http://youtu.be/T4UQ8OsF2dM?t=2m17s

Last edited by kYLEMtnCRUZr; 06-21-2014 at 08:29 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2014, 08:28 PM   #16 (permalink)
Not Doug
 
Xist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Show Low, AZ
Posts: 12,186

Chorizo - '00 Honda Civic HX, baby! :D
90 day: 35.35 mpg (US)

Mid-Life Crisis Fighter - '99 Honda Accord LX
90 day: 34.2 mpg (US)

Gramps - '04 Toyota Camry LE
90 day: 35.39 mpg (US)

Don't hit me bro - '05 Toyota Camry LE
90 day: 35.79 mpg (US)
Thanks: 7,217
Thanked 2,217 Times in 1,708 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr View Post
superminis such as the Ford Ka, Volkswagen Fox, Volkswagen Up, Fiat 500, among others.
Superminis are limited to three-character names?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kYLEMtnCRUZr View Post
It could climb descent hills though with its knobby tires!
It could climb and descend hills?
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2014, 08:33 PM   #17 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
kYLEMtnCRUZr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Auburn/Felton CA
Posts: 90

OHRALLY - '99 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Coupe
90 day: 34.06 mpg (US)

COROLLYPOLY - '02 Toyota Corolla LE
90 day: 46.97 mpg (US)
Thanks: 45
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Spelling doesnt xist on teh interwebs!
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2014, 11:14 PM   #18 (permalink)
It's all about Diesel
 
cRiPpLe_rOoStEr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Posts: 12,548
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,447 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xist View Post
Superminis are limited to three-character names?
Oh, we forgot the Chevy Spark, the Volkswagen Lupo, the Honda Logo, the Toyota Starlet, the Citroën Saxo, the Toyota Aygo, and a few others with more than 3 characters in their names

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com