The future of Hybrid design... What do you think?

[gadgetguy]

Found an interesting article - http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084852_new-gas-mileage-rules-will-reshape-what-americans-drive-aerodynamics-and-weight and thought I would share it.

 

I think manufacturers will find unique and appealing designs, just as Ford did with the 2013 Fusion, as we move forward with technology. I think the outside will evolve just as the inside does. What do you think?

 

[corncobs]

As long they don't make them all look like Prius, Insight or Volt I'm fine with reshaping the car of the future. I think they can do a lot with aerodynamic refinements to make a car more wind slippery like the article is saying.

What Ford did with the Fusion is providing a car that doesn't scream " hey look at me I'm a hybrid / plug in hybrid" The FFH looks like any other Fusion which makes so appealing to many car buyers IMO.

I mean look at the new Accord Hybrid; if those wheels are the only option I would walk away that's not worth an extra 2 MPH to me.

[acdii]

You know whats interesting is the shape of the Flex screams BRICK, yet it has a relatively low CoD of 0.355 where the 13 Fusion is 0.27. Whats even better, its the lowest CoD of all cars in its class.

[corncobs]

You know whats interesting is the shape of the Flex screams BRICK, yet it has a relatively low CoD of 0.355 where the 13 Fusion is 0.27. Whats even better, its the lowest CoD of all cars in its class.

Which class? Fusion or Flex? I would assume Fusion.

[acdii]

Flex, sorry after I read the quote it dawned on me that my sentence structure sucks.

[kuzzi]

Is there a list of the CoD for different vehicles?

 

With my B2 TDI build, if the darn body on that thing wasn't a freaking square barreling through the air I'd be expecting more than 25 mpg. Since I can do body modifications on it and not feel bad about it, I will probably fab up some kind of hood deflector/spoiler combination. Some people a long time ago made a spoiler for a VW Beetle out of particle board that reduced drag dramatically.

[acdii]

Is there a list of the CoD for different vehicles?

 

With my B2 TDI build, if the darn body on that thing wasn't a freaking square barreling through the air I'd be expecting more than 25 mpg. Since I can do body modifications on it and not feel bad about it, I will probably fab up some kind of hood deflector/spoiler combination. Some people a long time ago made a spoiler for a VW Beetle out of particle board that reduced drag dramatically.

Not up to date yet,

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficient

[hybridbear]

Fascinating. Can someone please include the links to the remaining 2 parts in this same thread in the coming days? Thanks

[gadgetguy]

Fascinating. Can someone please include the links to the remaining 2 parts in this same thread in the coming days? Thanks

 

I have made a reminder to make sure I won't forget!

[lolder]

As long they don't make them all look like Prius, Insight or Volt I'm fine with reshaping the car of the future. I think they can do a lot with aerodynamic refinements to make a car more wind slippery like the article is saying.

What Ford did with the Fusion is providing a car that doesn't scream " hey look at me I'm a hybrid / plug in hybrid" The FFH looks like any other Fusion which makes so appealing to many car buyers IMO.

I mean look at the new Accord Hybrid; if those wheels are the only option I would walk away that's not worth an extra 2 MPH to me.

There's a reason why most commercial airliners look alike today and that's because of drag and aerodynamics. Get used to the fact that cars are getting closer to the Prius all the time. If you want to pull more boxy shapes through they air with fossil fuels, I'm going to object to that.

[corncobs]

There's a reason why most commercial airliners look alike today and that's because of drag and aerodynamics. Get used to the fact that cars are getting closer to the Prius all the time. If you want to pull more boxy shapes through they air with fossil fuels, I'm going to object to that.

Yes that's the logical but kinda ugly future.

 

I like to think that it would be most efficient if cars travel would be managed like subway trains. It would be beneficial during rush hour if you could take out the human element in certain situations.

 

A two lane merge would be a breeze if each car would keep a save distance to let another car merge without slowing down. If pilots would fly their plans during airport approach like some people drive on a highway air traffic would be a mess.

There is already enough proof that consistent driving leads to better FE than constant stopping and starting.

[lolder]

Great changes are coming. Autonomous vehicles ( Google cars ) can drive much faster and closer together more safely. When cars queue up closely at high speeds, mpg of all the vehicles in the train improves as much as 30%. Standards for short range vehicle to vehicle data exchange ( V. to V.) are being developed now which can eliminate stop lights and signs. Self driving will be around for a while but the advantages of automated vehicles will be enormous ( think TV and Cell phone importance ).

[gadgetguy]

Here is Part 2 from the original link I posted - http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1079103_new-gas-mileage-rules-will-reshape-what-americans-drive-engines-and-transmissions

 

Another very interesting article and they use Ford's EcoBoost system as a reference!

[acdii]

I heard they will soon be incorporating these too!

 

 

 

 

Oy just noticed, poor grammer, should be FEWER not less.

Edited June 18, 2013 by acdii

[gadgetguy]

Part 3 of the New Gas Mileage Rules Will Reshape What Americans Drive series

 

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084851_new-gas-mileage-rules-will-reshape-what-americans-drive-hybrids-electrics-cost