Wind Drag

[BlioKart]

Well look who's in the rear view mirror!

sure soon as the elio becomes production and grows an addition wheel.

 

[NSTG8R]

I think the Tesla is .24 which is the lowest for a production car.

Reminds me a lot of a Lotus Elise without the side scoops.

 

[BlioKart]

Reminds me a lot of a Lotus Elise without the side scoops.

Tesla Model S not the Roadster

 

[Jay3wheel]

Tesla Model S not the Roadster

Don't cast shade on the Tesla

 

[ecdriver711]

Just by looking you would think the Elio would have less of a cd than a side by side seating car.

 

[Johnny Acree]

CD or DC is only part of the picture. I think it is CD times square inches of frontal area. and even that is only part of the hole MPG picture.

 

[grampi]

CD or DC is only part of the picture. I think it is CD times square inches of frontal area. and even that is only part of the hole MPG picture.

Yep, vehicle aspects that most drastically effect MPGs are as follows (in order of importance):

Engine size and efficiency
Aerodynamics
Vehicle weight

 

[goofyone]

Yep, vehicle aspects that most drastically effect MPGs are as follows (in order of importance):

Engine size and efficiency
Aerodynamics
Vehicle weight

You are missing one important piece of the puzzle which is friction between the tires and the road. Contact patch size, tread pattern, and tread compound are a very easily overlooked yet they do have a real world effect on MPG can make the difference between this vehicle getting 75 MPG and 80+ MPG on the highway.

 

[grampi]

You are missing one important piece of the puzzle which is friction between the tires and the road. Contact patch size, tread pattern, and tread compound are a very easily overlooked yet they do have a real world effect on MPG can make the difference between this vehicle getting 75 MPG and 80+ MPG on the highway.

Good catch, and you're absolutely right...and in the Elio's case, considering how slick it will be aerodynamically, tire drag will be more of factor than many might think...