Real wheel skirts.

TheForce,

To quote poster #4 in that thread, "Thanks! That's exactly what I needed."

Poster #2 there says that repacement Insight rear fenders/skirts go for $225 --
-- each? I guess that is a strong indication of what we should expect as the
minimum probable cost. But again, would that be for each, or the
pair?

The OEM Insight skirts are plastic, and it's not clear yet what the ones in this thread
will be made of. Most likely fiberglass, possibly ABS, less likely graphite fiber, least
likely metal.

These pictures sort of show the mounting hardware:

http://www.trademotion.com/sfimages/213824/contentimages/213824.jpg
http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/4/4470440.gif

But for the life of me, I cannot find a picture and current price for what
we're calling the "skirt."

 

I'm interested if the price is right. Put me on the list.

 

Looks complicated? How do I get from junior to member?

 

I think $225 is for each skirt. I hope the skirts that will be available for the Prius will be about $600 or less for the pair.

 

Considering that in addition to the skirts/spats themselves, there are some
fiddely-bits needed for secure mounting, and fasteners, plus the preps and
painting, that wouldn't be at all surprising. And there wil be packaging and
shipping... Nothing to do now but wait and see.

As a quick review of what's been put forth so far, here are excerpts from
three postings from 06/11/08:

It is important to remember that production details, etc. are not final ATT.

 

You are a member junior.

The wheel skirts are very complicated.

It is a custom modification.

 

The Insight skirts are actually cheap flimsy plastic, contrary to their fabulous looks in the pictures! There is actually very little metal in the Insight, I think the only metal body panels that I could find were the rear 1/4 panels and the roof, everything else on the body was plastic and the hood seemed to be some sort of fiberglass. Of course the bones of the Insight are all aluminum. All of these weight saving materials add up to a sub 2000 lbs car. I sure did enjoy getting 76 MPG across west Texas when the Prius only got about 52.

The skirts being made that this thread was created for are planned to be made from Fiberglass.

 

Will mounting these spats require drilling new holes in the Prius sheet metal?

 

hi! i want them to!
only need shipping to the EU
when are the first models for you and her ready
so we can see some pictures

 

yes, count me in and let me know,
Price
Paint matching
Delivery

 

Likely, it won't.
Otherwise Toyota would of put 'em on already ... I'm guessing. Now, if they improved MPG's by say, 1.5% ... that would be WAY cool for us 70mpg hypermile-ers

Hey! It looks like a giant Honda Insight !!

I'm not worried too much ... how hard can matching white be?

 

Not great logic. There are several things Toyota could have done to increase mileage. Honda and GM didn't put skirts on the Insight and EV1 just for fun. These were the two mose efficient vehicles in their class ever.

Perceived "style" trumps aerodynamics every time (except in the extreme cases of the Insight and the EV1). The Prius could have gone much more extreme if they really wanted to milk all the mileage out of the thing. But they didn't. They made the car goofy, but still mainstream. I'm not saying that skirts will for sure increase mileage, but I can tell you that if they accepted skirts in the design/tunnel testing phase, the mileage could have been increased.

 

If they're not ... Darell will do the mod's.
Magnets anyone?

 

The rear wheel spats may make your Prius look like a 100mpg marathon car but I think if your looking for economy gains your money would be better spent getting lessons in economical driving specific to the Prius. Have any hypermilers considered this as a part-time career? (New thread?)

I'm still in, I want that marathon mileage look!!

 

I like the magnets idea. Very solid and light, if the mounting is not too rigid.

 

Heh.

 

The skirts are still progressing. I am working on a 3D model in 3DS Max to get the look before I purchase pattern material. I will see about posting some renderings when finished.

There appears to be enough interest to make this a company project instead of a personal one. This will help greatly with time and pattern costs.

My lead composites guy has made them from scratch for two different vehicles so far and is familar with attaching them. The finished skirts will be 1/8" thick fiberglass and the plan is to attach them with several Dzus panel fasteners for easy removal.

Magnets have not been ruled out as we make a fair amount of parts that are held in place by NIB magnets. I do have concerns with using them on a Prius...

 

YES! We definitely want The Look.

As my grandmother would say by way of encouragement, "Go it girl! Go it!"