| ASCC | This project is closed |
| Aerostable Carbon Car |
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Context Very light weight crash resistant vehicles will have the centre of aerodynamic pressure in front of the centre of gravity. This will cause the vehicle to suffer from yaw-instability induced by cross-winds. The limits of weight decompounding in crash resistant vehicles have not been explored. Aims To build a driveable vehicle to develop the UK capability to create the next wave of environmentally considerate cars To solve or reduce the cross-wind stability problem which is a limitation for very light weight, low drag cars To use low-cost aerospace composite technology to create a whole-body design to solve the cross-wind problem Method Examine potential aerodynamic limitations to vehicle weight decompounding in a 2/3 seat car capable of 150 mpg. The vehicle will use a carbon-fibre space frame and small engine to give a target kerb mass of roughly 500kg. Explore and test a range of ways to minimise yaw instability using 1/4 scale and full scale models Benefits The vehicle will be widely publicised and make UK producers aware of the opportunity and market for this type of very fuel efficient vehicle. The aerodynamic requirements for these light vehicles will be known Participants Cranfield University Advanced Propulsion and Energy Control Systems Ltd Lotus Engineering Cranfield Impact Centre |
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