Aerodynamic auto designs, past and present, and their possible implications

[The Toecutter]

A little article I wrote, in which I attempted to find a reasonably accurate relationship between aerodynamics and fuel economy:

http://www.evworld.com/blogs/index.c...d=87&archive=0

A brief summary:

Fuel economy can be improved by roughly 30% in today's cars just by adressing aerodynamic drag. This is without making the engines smaller or less powerful, without shrinking the car itself, without going to a hybrid-electric or diesel powertrain, without low rolling resistance tires, without synthetic transmission oils or changed gear ratios, without CVTs, without composite body materials or major weight reductions. Just by changing the physical shape of the car. Further, the most aerodynamic cars sold in America today(ie. Toyota Prius) aren't near as aerodynamic as a handful of similarly sized cars built 70+ years ago!

For those interested, read the whole thing.

It's not perfect, as it doesn't delve into any serious automotive technical analysis and likely has a 10% margin of error given other unacounted for characteristics, but I do believe my estimations to be reasonable.




There are also few downsides to addressing drag.

Styling? There are lots of different styles possible! The automakers just need a little imagination.

If stability becomes too much of a problem at high speeds, then why not gear/govern the cars for 90 mph or so? The speed limits in the U.S. usually aren't higher than 70 mph(with a few exceptions).

Storage space? Why not elongate the rear of the car more to increase it? The examples listed had more than adequate storage space, infact improved over today's autos.

But then the oilies and auto industry wouldn't be making as much money. Oilies from decreased fuel use, auto monopolies from decreased maintenance due to less horsepower at speed... Then there's the issue of slowly rationing out technology to maximize profits, especially in the case where the industry refused Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion, execs explicitly yelling him because they wouldn't have no more advancements to sell!