'Wrap engines in plastic to cut fuel bills'

[Ace-T]

Can't see TVR doing this

Full story here

Ace-T

[docevi1]

thats nice, but my engine overheats if you leave it standing as it is - don't really want to be making it hotter

[kneegrow]

I imagine that is an idea to make engines even more complex to service and look less like engines. I wonder what the refining/processing/fitting costs are of this. Personally, I think that being able to regulate the engines conditions exactly are the key to simplicity of tuning, however this is more of a cooling issue than one of insulation. I would also add that Polyurethane foam is soluble in oil, absorbs shit for a pastime including moisture (nice rusty block!) and also is blown generally with Pentane which is a flammable hydrocarbon. When buying a new car, parking it in a garage could emit enough pentane to cause a large explosion when the driver returns smoking a fag............
Well, I almost was a professional sacientist, the problem being is corporate nonsense like this. I think this idea is as useless as putting yoghurt in your petrol tank. If you want to be ecologically friendly, live in a cave...........
Issigonis got it right with his simplicity/functionality present in the moggy and mini. All this other shit is just unnecessary about, wasting resources and energy making things over complex. I say "VW, take all the unnecessary crap off your car and you won't need some yoghurt weaver machinery to make the thing more green" Less is more.
stu

[jv_as]

I remember when I was a kid my dad used to drive an Austin Maxi!! This also used to have a big plastic cover over the front of the engine block (was it an "R series" was too young too remember) too increase winter fuel economy.

[Fatboy]

jv_as said:

I remember when I was a kid my dad used to drive an Austin Maxi!! This also used to have a big plastic cover over the front of the engine block (was it an "R series" was too young too remember) too increase winter fuel economy.

If it's similar to the one on the mini it's actually to keep spray off the electrics IIRC...

[docevi1]

it's the dizzy that the sheilds are protecting from spray, well usually anyway.