The Real P5 ?

[AriLea]

Ekh --- Actually each side would need 7 holes for steering and suspension members to pass through the body work. Each of those holes would need to be elongated to allow for movement. Small rubber boots or sliding fairleads could make an effective seal. It would be a real PITA to work on but at least steering and suspension components normally don't need frequent maintenance. Though I do hope the ball joints and tierods have grease fittings. Most modern vehicle bearings are "lifetime" lubricated which of course means they're good until they wear out. Planned obsolescence.

This panel will make a noticeable difference in the MPG, maybe 1 to 3 mpg. But I can easily see some people removing it and add an after market trim or other 'show' parts for cool factor, along with open fenders and wire wheels. For those people getting only 75mpg, they'll say 'so what!'

And inevitably some one will 'donk it'. lol Autocycle with Donk link

 

[AriLea]

A few years ago we did have a 127degree day as I remember. But it may have been that same day, 'cept maybe someone measured it at 'tarmac' level.
Don't know where that was measured. Just glad I had working AC that day.

The all-time hottest temperature ever recorded in the state of Arizona is 128 degrees, which occurred in Lake Havasu on June 29, 1994, and also occurred on July 5, 2007. --source--

 

[skygazer6033]

If you look closely at the P5 rendering there is a rectangular cover that surrounds the suspension. That cover could be made of a soft pliable plastic notched to fit around the suspension. Not perfect but far easier than having to pass the suspension, steering and drive axle through individual holes in the panel.

 

[WilliamH]

The all-time hottest temperature ever recorded in the state of Arizona is 128 degrees, which occurred in Lake Havasu on June 29, 1994, and also occurred on July 5, 2007. --source--

This is off topic, but was it measured in the sun or in the shade. That's an important distinction.

 

[skygazer6033]

Since there is now a gap between the hood and windshield to get the wiper out of the wind there's the possibility to get the hood latches out of sight too. By mounting the original type latches to a U shaped bracket installed underneath the trailing edge of the hood you can have the pin go through the bracket instead of the entire hood. One on each side and the latches are out of sight and out of the airstream at little additional cost. Win-win!

 

[Reid3400]

Ekh --- Actually each side would need 7 holes for steering and suspension members to pass through the body work. Each of those holes would need to be elongated to allow for movement. Small rubber boots or sliding fairleads could make an effective seal. It would be a real PITA to work on but at least steering and suspension components normally don't need frequent maintenance. Though I do hope the ball joints and tierods have grease fittings. Most modern vehicle bearings are "lifetime" lubricated which of course means they're good until they wear out. Planned obsolescence.

If the holes are at or behind the pivot point of the steering and suspension members, they do not need to be elongated or have sliding seals. The closer to the pivot points, the shorter the throw and easier the solution.

 

[skygazer6033]

Quite so Reid. However to get 6 of the 7 members to pivot in the same plane would be difficult to engineer. The steering geometry is constantly changing so the hole clearance for the tierods would have to be set up the worst case scenario that is hitting a bump that causes full travel suspension deflection at the same time as turning at full lock. This could be as much as several inches and not just in the vertical plane but horizontal as well because of the arc of the steering arm on the spindle. This is the primary spot a sliding seal is needed.

 

[Ty]

If the holes are at or behind the pivot point of the steering and suspension members, they do not need to be elongated or have sliding seals. The closer to the pivot points, the shorter the throw and easier the solution.

True except for the up and down motion that the whole assembly will have from the suspension.

 

[AriLea]

Quite so Reid. However to get 6 of the 7 members to pivot in the same plane would be difficult to engineer. The steering geometry is constantly changing so the hole clearance for the tierods would have to be set up the worst case scenario that is hitting a bump that causes full travel suspension deflection at the same time as turning at full lock. This could be as much as several inches and not just in the vertical plane but horizontal as well because of the arc of the steering arm on the spindle. This is the primary spot a sliding seal is needed.

I had suggested this as a snap-on silicone membrane. It's possible that's what they have in mind, although black would have been the more likely color in that case. Such a design would not need large holes. But it would be a complex shape.

 

[Ty]

I had suggested this as a snap-on silicone membrane. It's possible that's what they have in mind, although black would have been the more likely color in that case. Such a design would not need large holes. But it would be a complex shape.

Will they not be able to have that small steering hole and then a large area for the suspension, A-Arm, tierod, and half shaft? It doesn't have to completely enclose the area.