Future Elio Models

[Lil4X]

Some of these configurations may require extra doors or ejection seats. The gullwing Mercedes had the unfortunate design problem of trapping passengers inside in a rollover. The modern version of the SLS has explosive bolts on the roof hinges to work around that.

 

[Trusting]

You do have to keep in mind, this IS a three wheeler, at that point in the body is the worst place to put more load. It both lifts and moves the Center Of Gravity backward. In a reverse trike, you want added gross weight more forward, low and center. Unless a very light trailer is the option considered.

If a new Elio model had full fenders over the wheels, then trunk space could exist more forward, as it does in my Atlantric design. Mine does have entry and exit challenges, but there are ways to mitigate that issue. In my case the whole top is a clam-shell hatch, as it was for the Messerschmidt KR200.

The enlarged trunk would probably add 10 to 20 pounds to the weight and as to increased drag, it does not present any more surface to the wind. The effects would be negligible.

 

[Coss]

The enlarged trunk would probably add 10 to 20 pounds to the weight and as to increased drag, it does not present any more surface to the wind. The effects would be negligible.

But the additional rear surface area would create more drag.

 

[AriLea]

The enlarged trunk would probably add 10 to 20 pounds to the weight and as to increased drag, it does not present any more surface to the wind. The effects would be negligible.

Yes, negligible. However, the actual area left over when the form cuts-off, does mater. Otherwise nobody would bother to taper to the rear. So maybe slightly more than negligible.

The same is often said about the open wheels on full body sedans. But in some cases this is around 10%-15% of the full aerodynamic drag. In the case of my Atlantric this could be even more by percentage, since the rest of the body is fairly aerodynamic.

 

[AriLea]

But the additional rear surface area would create more drag.

Yes, but less than the benefit of tapering to the rear, provided you haven't developed turbulent air or vortexes. Nothing aerodynamic is simple.

A more flat rear would be less actual area facing upward, but for the extra square area (in2) more area for low pressure to operate on.

The goal of an aero-form is to have the lowest pressure for forward facing areas, higher pressure for rearward facing areas, up and sideways as ambient-neutral as possible. i.e everything as ambient-neutral as possible, you can look at it that way.

 

[floydv]

Did someone say enlarged trunk?

Limited trunk space is an issue with the smart, although not nearly as much of an issue as it is with the Elio. Maybe a trunk extension rearward instead of upward would work better, but will probably be more expensive.

 

[Coss]

Did someone say enlarged trunk?
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Limited trunk space is an issue with the smart, although not nearly as much of an issue as it is with the Elio. Maybe a trunk extension rearward instead of upward would work better, but will probably be more expensive.

Now if that was 6WD with a Porsche 3.5 twin turbo you'd really have something

 

[pistonboy]

Some of these configurations may require extra doors or ejection seats. The gullwing Mercedes had the unfortunate design problem of trapping passengers inside in a rollover. The modern version of the SLS has explosive bolts on the roof hinges to work around that.

This is an interesting video. Will we see a video like this of the Elio laying on its side with the door facing against the ground?

 

[John Painter]

Did someone say enlarged trunk?
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Limited trunk space is an issue with the smart, although not nearly as much of an issue as it is with the Elio. Maybe a trunk extension rearward instead of upward would work better, but will probably be more expensive.

I think just getting a F150 would do the trick if you really need the space.

 

[DAVID BROWER]

SOMETIMES SIMPLICITY IS A BETTER ANSWER .
THE BOND BUG PREDATES THE STERLING BY 5 YEARS
THE "LID" IS PURELY MECHANICAL .

[Broken External Image]