Future Middy Coupe Locost Design

[fuoriserie]

Joe T said:

Looking good.

I had a quick look at the MEV site I guess you mean the screen from the R3? http://www.mevltd.co.uk/images/R3%20FRONT.jpg

Yes, that is the screen but with more rake...or that is the idea.....

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 6th November 15:32

[stig mills]

I can see something really cool developing here!
My only concern would be proportions as I feel it maybe too low.
The height from the car floor to engine top needs to be around 650mm.
The height from the car floor to the inside of the roof needs to be around 950mm.
The car width needs to be around 1700mm and wheel base 2400mm.
Hope these guide sizes are of use. Regards Stuart

[fuoriserie]

stig mills said:

I can see something really cool developing here!
My only concern would be proportions as I feel it maybe too low.
Hope these guide sizes are of use. Regards Stuart

Stuart,

Will try to rework the sketch on those dimensions........proportions are going to be the big challenge....

Cheers
Italo

Edited by fuoriserie on Wednesday 7th November 13:06

[stig mills]

I feel the MX6 screen may hamper the design. Although not large it looks oversize on the R3. Has anyone got any suggestions for a screen?
Regards Stuart. See you at NEC at the weekend (smarts r us stand) or Exeter next week.

fuoriserie said:

Joe T said:

Looking good.

I had a quick look at the MEV site I guess you mean the screen from the R3? http://www.mevltd.co.uk/images/R3%20FRONT.jpg

Yes, that is the screen but with more rake...or that is the idea.....

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 6th November 15:32

[Davi]

fuoriserie said:

with a slightly longer wheelbase, I could see something like this.....

much, much better than the initial suggestions.

Screen wise you could look at the last MR2 screens.

It's a similar shape - slightly more curved which I think would help - but from memory a little smaller.

[fuoriserie]

Davi said:

fuoriserie said:

with a slightly longer wheelbase, I could see something like this.....

much, much better than the initial suggestions.

Screen wise you could look at the last MR2 screens.

It's a similar shape - slightly more curved which I think would help - but from memory a little smaller.

Working on more detailed sketches, using this rough as a guide, but with the shorter wheelbase of the R3.

[fuoriserie]

was trying to finish up final renderings, but time isn't helping......so will post some very rough sketches instead...

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 11th December 13:01

[fuoriserie]

Alternative Rough sketches........
I do like the idea of a small,simple and lightweight mid-engine v6 Kit sportscar

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 11th December 15:41

[fuoriserie]

These 4 rough sketches , with the v6 mid-engine setup, using the Mev R3 chassis.

A 2 seater with polycarbonate doors, and minimal bodywork....will look better on my final renderings !

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 11th December 15:40

[fuoriserie]

will post the front view tomorrow.........

[fuoriserie]

was wondering if something more retro in design, would be more interesting, for such a sportscar.

What do you guys think ?

Edited by fuoriserie on Wednesday 12th December 09:12

[Foolish Dave]

I think it's time we started trying to build things more modern. I know it sucks trying to compete with mainstream but one thing the kit car industry can do is make concept style cars - the ones the big companies simply can't make but the public would love.

I like your designs above and think they'd be great transformed into a kit car, but I think there's more bodywork there than you may think, compared to the Mev it's based on, for sure.

If you could design a car with as little body work as the Mev, but make it more modern, or even retro-futuristic, then I think that would be a winner.

[fuoriserie]

Foolish Dave said:

I like your designs above and think they'd be great transformed into a kit car, but I think there's more bodywork there than you may think, compared to the Mev it's based on, for sure.

If you could design a car with as little body work as the Mev, but make it more modern, or even retro-futuristic, then I think that would be a winner.

I agree with you, that there is a little more bodywork than the Mev, but in this niche market, we always need to remember about the used lotus Elise, that is a powerful competitor to any Kit sportscar.

Design can make a difference, but I feel the industry is afraid to embark on modern design, apart from a few exceptions, conservative retro designs account for 70% of the business !. (look at Sevens and Cobras, with all their derivatives....)

Very few modern designs make it in this industry, and of late, only the Ariel Atom and Murtaya come to kind, while the others, like the Toniq-R, that is a modern take on the seven, is having a tough time.

A pity, because it deserves to succed, it is a unique and modern design, trying to create a modern seven.

That is why i was thinking about Retro design, I believe it's the only sure bet, for a small kitcar manufacturer, with the existing kitcar buying enthusiasts.

I love the shape of The Phantom Vortex, a great combination of modern and retro design , but very few have found costumers.

Designing and building a modern kit sportscar is becoming difficult, because the parameters are high, and the return, the sale of the kit, is very uncertain if you go too modern.

I guess it all depends on what your goals are as a kitcar manufacturer, but think that very few are willing to risk on modern designs.

Retro sells, and will always, to the exhisting customer base, and the new customers are well catered for by what the kitcar market offers at the moment.....

[stig mills]

Good point Dave. I too drool over concept cars, most of which dont make production. Reducing GRP square meterage is also a good way to keep costs down. Optional extra roof seems one obvious way to lower kit costs. Has anyone got any pics of concept cars for inspiration? Happy Christmas everyone. Regards Stuart

[fuoriserie]

stig mills said:

Reducing GRP square meterage is also a good way to keep costs down.

Very true.........but how much is enough ?, what is the minimum that is still acceptable as a coupe, and still has a good design, acceptable and likable that can be sold ?,

The equation is quite difficult, if we can't define fully the design brief and parameters............here we're just having fun........

Edited by fuoriserie on Wednesday 12th December 11:21

[fuoriserie]

stig mills said:

. Has anyone got any pics of concept cars for inspiration?

here you go:

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/

Edited by fuoriserie on Wednesday 12th December 11:41

[Foolish Dave]

Reducing the amount of glass too; it's heavy stuff and expensive for the requirements of automotive use.

[fuoriserie]

Foolish Dave said:

Reducing the amount of glass too; it's heavy stuff and expensive for the requirements of automotive use.

agree.......but mine would be polycarbonate, plexiglass, not real glass.

[RazMan]

Italo, Polycarbonate is indeed very light but not exactly strong. I am in the process of prototyping some gull wing doors with a large window area made from polycarbonate. I have found that a sturdy steel frame is required to make it anywhere near strong enough for a door. Also your small hinge area will need a beefy hinge and lots of body stiffening or it will wobble and bind in the door shuts. I am abandoning my scissor doors in favour of gull wing which will hopefully fit the closure points more accurately.

Love the designs btw

Edited by RazMan on Thursday 13th December 21:44

[stig mills]

I like the idea of gullwing doors too but they are a pain to get right. I remember fitting them to my 4x4 only to discover that as the leading edge of the door follows the screen angle, it rubbed on the same edge when opening. Look at the MEV 4x4 now and you will see the T roof section is a wedge shape to get over this problem. Others have acheived the same effect with different length hinges. Look forward to seeing what you do. Nice front end on the Aeon by the way. Just didnt want you following my mistakes. Regards Stuart

RazMan said:

Italo, Polycarbonate is indeed very light but not exactly strong. I am in the process of prototyping some gull wing doors with a large window area made from polycarbonate. I have found that a sturdy steel frame is required to make it anywhere near strong enough for a door. Also your small hinge area will need a beefy hinge and lots of body stiffening or it will wobble and bind in the door shuts. I am abandoning my scissor doors in favour of gull wing which will hopefully fit the closure points more accurately.

Love the designs btw

Edited by RazMan on Thursday 13th December 21:44