better coefficient of drag

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by dissident, Apr 18, 2014.

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  1. dissident

    dissident Junior Member

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    In theory they could improve the gas mileage by making further improvements in the coefficient of drag, such as incorporating a more 'boat tail' like design as evidenced by the 'aero civic' that someone made... given the target audience for this vehicle I think it would sell well, and would also allow higher mileages at higher speeds.

    Here's a list of the coeffient of drag of all vehicles.

    (Google this, thread cannot contain links)

    Aero Civic Website

    (Google this, thread cannot contain links)

    Only a few concept cars such as the defunct General Motors EV1 have had the guts to truly decrease coefficient of drag with rather unconventional designs. I believe the EV1 body with a gasoline or hybrid engine would be my next vehicle purchase. :) I'd sacrifice some looks to get maximum MPG.. though I think the EV1 looks good personally.
     
    #1 dissident, Apr 18, 2014
  2. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

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    heck even simple rear wheel skirts would help...
     
    #2 MarcSmith, Apr 18, 2014
  3. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

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    #3 walter Lee, Apr 18, 2014
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how low can you go?
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 18, 2014
  5. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    LOL, makes me think of cars on back ends leaning back and down just to get under that rod... "THE LIMBO"!
     
    #5 dorunron, Apr 18, 2014
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #6 JimboPalmer, Apr 18, 2014
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  7. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    The electronic rear view side mirrors were interesting. Any aftermarket kits out for that,which could be adapted to the Prius?
     
    #7 Robert Holt, Apr 19, 2014
  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #8 JimboPalmer, Apr 19, 2014
  9. 70AARCUDA

    70AARCUDA Active Member

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    ...and, FULL 'smooth' -- Moon™-like -- wheel covers would be a "simple/cheap" aerodynamic "improvement"!
     
    #9 70AARCUDA, Apr 19, 2014
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  10. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    There is a gap between the top of the windshield and the roof. I might put a strip of electrical tape over it to see if it makes any difference.

    Too bad Toyota didn't hide the windshield wipers.

    Personally I think grill blocking is BS, but if there is an improvement in cd then there should be automated louvers there.
     
    #10 MikeDee, Apr 23, 2014
  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    MikeDee I think you would design a Tesla competitor, not a Corolla competitor.

    Grill blocking works in weather under 60 Degrees to retain engine heat. I am not aware that anyone has tested the idea for aerodynamics.

    I do not advise this, but the only Aero modification I know works is that many states do not require a right side mirror. Ideally the NHTSA will overcome inertia and allow side view cameras. I want them near the front of the car to limit blind spots.

    [​IMG]
    Like this but with cameras.
     
    #11 JimboPalmer, Apr 23, 2014
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  12. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I love the side view cameras and I've been wanting to do it for years but, our cumbersome beaureaucratical system is so slow. And when your idea is deemed "not important", its even slower.
     
    #12 usnavystgc, Apr 23, 2014
  13. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The NS4 has camera mirrors.

    [​IMG]
     
    #13 El Dobro, Apr 23, 2014
  14. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    And where is that street legal?
     
    #14 JimboPalmer, Apr 23, 2014
  15. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    It's in reply to the VW XL1 having rear view cameras.
     
    #15 El Dobro, Apr 23, 2014
  16. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    And it is also not street legal in the US.
     
    #16 JimboPalmer, Apr 23, 2014
  17. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Yet. It's not just Elon Musk petitioning the NHTSA to change the rules.
     
    #17 El Dobro, Apr 23, 2014
  18. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    Laws on required mirrors vary state to state. Where I live, only the center interior mirror is required, so I have removed both exterior mirrors and mounted convex blind spot mirrors on the A-pillars inside the car.

    Grill blocking: you'll find plenty of people blocking grills on all sorts of cars for the aerodynamic benefit on Ecomodder. There have been several studies demonstrating the effectiveness of closing off unnecessary cooling air intake, most prominently by Volvo engineers who attributed 30% of the total drag of a typical car to the cooling system. I monitor temperatures with a Scangauge and have been up to 83F ambient temps so far with the lower grill 100% blocked on the highway, with no problems. If most of your driving is in town, I would advise keeping a close eye on engine coolant and inverter coolant temperatures.

    Here's my build thread on Ecomodder with everything I've done to the Prius, which so far parallels what I did to my previous car.
     
    #18 Vman455, Apr 26, 2014
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  19. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Have you noticed any fe. gains?:)h​
     
    #19 HaroldW, Apr 26, 2014
  20. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    The Eco Cruz and the Ford Focus have active grill louvers for aerodynamics. The reduction in cd for the Cruz Eco was 5.1% and .5 mpg highway.
     
    #20 MikeDee, Apr 27, 2014
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