A sportscar concept CAD model

[machin]

A few of you might have seen my 2009 and 2010 F1 car CAD models... well for fun, I thougt I'd turn my hand to sportscars (road-going variety)... and include what I would like to see in a current sportscar...





And links to the websites of the technology featured:-

Ilmor 5-stroke engine:
http://www.ilmor.co.uk/concept_5-stroke_1.php

Flybrid KERS:
http://www.flybridsystems.com/Roadcar.html

PowerShock dampers:
http://en.msea.fr/products/shock-absorbers/powershock

Lotus bonded aluminium chassis:
http://www.grouplotus.com/engineering/l ... forms.html

[Carlos]

From a styling point of view, the front end is very fresh. I've never seen a fender profile quite like that elongated line, with the fender crests descending into a concave hood,the forward facade lip is very original. The design certainly would surprise many at cardesignnews.com . The rendering is not too shabby either.If you do a few more design studies, you might consider submitting a portfolio to CDN. Very nice work.

[mx_tifoso]

Are you sure you haven't seen a similar design Carlos? Look at this...

[Carlos]

@ mx_tifosi: The turnup at the front fender lip makes all the difference.
Especially with the fender line ending well behind the elliptical facade.
Makes all the difference. In my most humble opinion

[machin]

...in all fairness, I started the design off as a kind of retro-futuristic ferrari concept... kind of llke an elise sized sportscar with styling cues from the 288GTO/430/458 Italia.

I wanted to reduce the claustrophobic effect of the narrow cockpit so introduced the XJ220 style wrap-over windscreen... a solid roof would make the car feel too enclosed in my opinion...

[Just_a_fan]

Want!!

Build it!!!

[marcush.]

speaking of elise type chassis fabrication...

do you really think that is cost effective and the way to go?

Hydroforming aluminium extrusions ...bonding ...processing ..holes weakening the structure...

also lotus make a very bad job with the front crash structure NOT incorporating the front suspension...So ANY front end crash is likely to destroy the chassis as soon as a wheel gets hit.. the death of a lot of elises and speedsters with apparently minor accidents...

I feel a full composite (why not glassfibre?) structure could do an excellent job and would be very much processable for a small volume production at very low cost.

[autogyro]

I thought Lotus were going environmentaly friendly and experimenting with hemp.
Pass the jointing compound man, wooo
Wood is probably best. Have you ever tried hiting a tree!!

[Just_a_fan]

speaking of elise type chassis fabrication...

do you really think that is cost effective and the way to go?

Hydroforming aluminium extrusions ...bonding ...processing ..holes weaakiening the structure...

also lotus make a very bad job with the front crash structure NOT incorporating the front suspension...So ANY front end crash is likely to destroy the chassis as soon as a wheel gets hit.. the death of a lot of elises and speedsters with seemingly minor accidents...

I feel a full composite (why not glassfibre?) structure could do an excellent job and would be very much processable for a small volume production at very low cost.

Lotus have realised that issue with the Elise chassis and used separate front and rear subframes for the Evora. Presumably this could be done with this project car too.

[marcush.]

speaking of elise type chassis fabrication...

do you really think that is cost effective and the way to go?

Hydroforming aluminium extrusions ...bonding ...processing ..holes weaakiening the structure...

also lotus make a very bad job with the front crash structure NOT incorporating the front suspension...So ANY front end crash is likely to destroy the chassis as soon as a wheel gets hit.. the death of a lot of elises and speedsters with seemingly minor accidents...

I feel a full composite (why not glassfibre?) structure could do an excellent job and would be very much processable for a small volume production at very low cost.

Lotus have realised that issue with the Elise chassis and used separate front and rear subframes for the Evora. Presumably this could be done with this project car too.

well it seems they have finally learned a lesson there:

http://www.zercustoms.com/photos/Lotus- ... assis.html

did I mention I gave them a call a few years back asking for chassis repair guidelines and approved repairmethods...

and their answer simply was: [-X [-X [-X

in fact the chassis was perfect ,only one hole for the upper wishbone was damaged...and rendered the car officially as a writeoff...

[machin]

Maybe I'll use the Evora chassis next time!

A slightly better page from the same website, here, for those interested in reading it:-

http://www.zercustoms.com/news/Lotus-Ev ... ained.html

[mx_tifoso]

What would be the estimated weight?

[machin]

Despite the carbon body/wheels and small capacity engine i'd have to say it would be 30kg or so more than a mark 1 Elise (full windscreen/roof and KERS being the major increases), but with the full KERS boost it'd have nearly 3x the power of a standard Mk1 Elise, so performance would be excellent. (Interior wise I'd be keen to keep the stripped out approach of the Mk1 Elise too, so no weight increase there).

... About 760kg without driver...

[autogyro]

Were you thinking of using part time four wheeled drive like the Porsche Flybrid system Machin? Using two front mounted motor/generators.
Good for a major handling improvement.
I could save you at least 25kg with my ESERU and free up some space when using a hybrid system. Consider using a part flywheel part battery storage. It would help weight distribution and packaging.
Nice design.

[marcush.]

the MK1 elise is by no means maximised for low weight...

looking at some bits of the car it is astonishing just how much some things do actually weigh.
for example doors ...
wipermechanism..which is a design mess anyways..
battery
The whole Water system including the idiotic interior heating system
gearchangelever + lever support...
Idiotic engine support system
heavy plaster panels and clamshells..

I could dwell on for hours on this..

the whole S1 Elise could have easily weighed a LOT less for what it was.