DeltaWing rendered as a road car
And it's now 'seeking OEM partners'...
Unsurprisingly Deltawing is keen to point out the same benefits that help it on track would be advantageous on the road also; low rolling resistance and a slippery shape improve efficiency, as does low mass. That it's also fantastically agile is of course encouraging to hear from a PH perspective.
In America, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirement for 2025 is 54.5mpg. That's quite a target but the Deltawing team believes its technology can assist. The claims so far are that it could be 35 per cent lighter and use 35 per cent less power whilst also consuming 35 per cent less fuel. Virtuous cycle and all that. Performance predictions (assuming a 'small displacement, four-cylinder engine producing between 85 and 110 horsepower' is used) are 0-60mph in six seconds, 130mph flat out and 70mpg. Who wouldn't want that? Moreover, that's with a petrol engine; imagine if a roadgoing Deltawing used a diesel or hybrid powertrain.
The official line from Deltawing is that it could 'work closely with each OEM to incorporate their brand styling design requirements and meet their vehicle content needs'. President and COO Al Speyer goes one step further, saying that "the DeltaWing deserves the higher volume that an OEM can provide to truly have a beneficial impact on the future and the environment".
With many advocating low mass as the future of efficient yet enjoyable cars, the Deltawing concept would seem perfect. Is a major manufacturer bold enough to take Deltawing on board? We certainly hope so.
- the cats and hedgehogs will have no chance
- more potholes / speed bumps to hit
- It looks so ugly
- the mpg gains really only stack up at higher velocities due to the square function, so for every day driving, marginal benefits.
- Did I mention it is ugly.
No one can be stupid enough to invest in this as a road car, not when there are so many "regular" 4 wheeled cars that work and look nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_INdbXMqsw
Best idea in decades.
It would never be allowed on the roads due to all the crashes it would cause from other drivers laughing uncontrollably.
Although I have to wonder... four seat road car in that shape. The reason for a transverse fwd hatchback is space efficiency. This is going to be huge on the outside, small inside. And can it really be made with that much material, whilst being light, at a sensible price?
Advantages:
1) It looks a bit different
Disadvantages:
1) It'll be really difficult to park or see out of
2) The passenger cabin is tiny and cramped,
3) People will struggle to drive it through gaps without scraping the back
4) Being narrow means being long for the same volume, so it will have the turning circle of a bus
5) The form factor is arseaboutface for low aero drag (hint, teardrop!)
6) God knows what the crosswind/cross camber performance will be like
7) It will be heavier than a conventional car of the same volume.
8) Where are you going to put the dog?
9) It will cost more to make as it is "non conventional"
10) Avoiding potholes and white lines in the road will be difficult
etc, etc, etc
sorry mate, didnt see you there!
i loved the look of the delta wing, but as a roadcar this is ridiculous.
So many people think 'we can, therefore we should!'
sorry mate, didnt see you there!
But you get my drift.
If im not mistaken, Sidecars are on the left of bikes to avoid that happening.
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