I can't say that I am a big fan of the looks of this car, but the 225 miles per gallon is hard to beat. The car has an electric rear drive system with a Kubota diesel system when the lithium batteries run out. Apparently you will be able to purchase an XR3 kit soon. There are a lot more pictures on the website, including the build process.
Posted by: hammerthumb on August 17, 2008 at 7:54 AM
RE: The word "Tweaks"
Hi,
With regards to #2 would covering the wheels cause issues with brake cooling?
With regards to #7 carbon fiber can replace a lot of the steel in a vehicle. There is a question in my mind about safety. Steel will bend and twist in an impact. Carbon fiber will de-laminate and shatter. When properly designed both do well at converting the impact energy to heat before complete failure. However, in a non-racing environment I wonder about the real world efficacy of the carbon fiber to protect the occupants who are not wearing Nomex suits, helmets and 5 point harnesses. Bring on the crash test dummies I say!
Posted by: ellisgl.myopenid.com on August 17, 2008 at 7:49 PM
RE:RE: The word Tweaks.
You could also use ceramic break pads, with a rotor that is slotted, cross drilled (or dimple drilled) and vented.
Well, if he did it right - i didn't see if he did do this - you would have a cage of some sort around the cab. The reason I said carbon fiber was to make it a tad bit lighter. Lighter car = less energy to move = MPG boost. Of course it's probably a lot less of an MPG boost than it would take to justify the cost.
I have purchased the plans for this, fiberglass is used due to cost. This is meant to be built in a home garage, so things are kept simple. Design changes can be made by the builder.
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The word "tweaks" was in the "Article".
My sugguestions
1.) The article says "Fiber glass", I would change that to carbon fiber.
2.) Get rid of the neat looking rims, and use a cover that would make it a little bit more aerodynamic.
3.) Solar panels on the car to help with recharge.
4.) Get rid of the exterior mirrors and use camera - more aerodynamic advantage
5.) Bring the back further to make a smaller point.
6.) Make a "golf ball" pitted under carriage.
7.) Any part made of Iron or Steal that can be replace with a lighter material would be replaced. Aluminum, Titanium , etc..
The would what I would do first to increase my millage.
Reply to this comment
Hi,
With regards to #2 would covering the wheels cause issues with brake cooling?
With regards to #7 carbon fiber can replace a lot of the steel in a vehicle. There is a question in my mind about safety. Steel will bend and twist in an impact. Carbon fiber will de-laminate and shatter. When properly designed both do well at converting the impact energy to heat before complete failure. However, in a non-racing environment I wonder about the real world efficacy of the carbon fiber to protect the occupants who are not wearing Nomex suits, helmets and 5 point harnesses. Bring on the crash test dummies I say!
Reply to this comment
You could also use ceramic break pads, with a rotor that is slotted, cross drilled (or dimple drilled) and vented.
Well, if he did it right - i didn't see if he did do this - you would have a cage of some sort around the cab. The reason I said carbon fiber was to make it a tad bit lighter. Lighter car = less energy to move = MPG boost. Of course it's probably a lot less of an MPG boost than it would take to justify the cost.
Reply to this comment
I have purchased the plans for this, fiberglass is used due to cost. This is meant to be built in a home garage, so things are kept simple. Design changes can be made by the builder.
Reply to this comment
Bad choice of nomenclature. In the UK the XR3 was Ford's underpowered, lack-lustre answer to the Golf GTi in the 80s.
The XR3i was a slight improvement but the term XR3 still conjures up images of reverse baseball-hatted bad boyz.
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