|
Editors Note: CR4 would like to
thank Zoltan Bod (Natloz) for contributing this blog entry.
I (Zoltan) began the
Zoleco project back in November of 2007. I have always been excited about cars.
I love performance, handling and energy efficiency. Exotic cars make my heart
sing. I thought that it was about time that someone dream audaciously and act
boldly to combine these traits into one Eco Exotic Sports Car.
I began by
incorporating the aerodynamic efficiency of the tear drop shape into my design
architecture. With the very low drag imposed by this shape it allowed me to run
a small efficient turbo charged
3 cylinder gasoline engine to motivate the
vehicle and burn fuel sparingly.
I have to date built the full size design and
development model which will be used as a blueprint to build the proof of
concept. I have decided to build the proof of concept as a Bonneville Salt
Flats race car. And what better environment to prove the car than on the salt
dyno?
  This phase of
the development program will be called the 150mph/150mpg Challenge. The
business plan and pitchbook are being developed for this challenge which is the
next round of funding. When this challenge has been successfully completed the
car will go on a promotional tour in preparation of the development of the
street version. The car will start off production with a carbon fibre/Kevlar
composite body and chrome moly full perimeter space frame chassis. The car will
comfortably seat four and the HP to overcome drag formulas indicate mileage to
be on the order of 90mpg at 65mph or 151mpg at 45 mph.
The proof of
concept race car will be the verifying factor in these performance estimates. More
details about the project are available at the project
site and also in a featured entry on gizmag.
| 
