"Nibby" (nibby68)
10/22/2013 at 09:14 • Filed to: None
1
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"Nibby" (nibby68)
10/22/2013 at 09:14 • Filed to: None | 1
| 26 |
Make a single-passenger car. Just for commuting, it would be small but safe.
Possibly with aluminum frame reinforced with high-strength steel for safety at certain points (doors, behind the engine, etc.).
The front-mounted engine would be maybe a 3 cylinder 1.0 liter mated to either a 6 speed manual or CVT (for fuel economy). Would shoot for 60mpg.
It would be RWD for weight distribution.
The interior will have only one seat, but still have AC, cruise control, power windows, doors, locks standard, and possibly LED lights, navigation for available options.
Body would be aerodynamic and the bottom would be covered by plates for aerodynamic purposes (stole that idea from the Prius).
It would be shaped like a sporty coupe, kinda like a BRZ or possibly a much smaller 2 door A7 in terms of shape. Would have a hatch trunk for some cargo space. Possibly borrow design cues from the Corvette Stingray.
It could be a good idea. Since many people still drive by themselves to work and back, it would sell pretty well. It wouldn't be expensive, hopefully less than $20k and starting at $15k ideally. The purpose of this car is to be an affordable, economical solution easy on the wallet, safe, and convenient to park. Think of it as a much better SmartCar, but much lower and better looking.
Thoughts?
EL_ULY
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:18 |
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a vocho? just take the seats out (if not already out) and add LED's like everyone in the world.
Party-vi
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:19 |
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It would be FWD, as the packaging is more efficient and it would allow for more storage space. With RWD you need rear drive train, prop shaft, longitudinal transmission/engine combo, which makes for a very long car. FWD would allow everything to sit on top or just forward the front wheels, leaving room for the one passenger OH OH OR RR!? RR would be awesome! Make it like a Fiat 126 with the engine in the back and a front trunk area.
MylesD
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:22 |
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Hmm..move to Europe? I kid. Anyway, not a horrible idea. I assume the challenge would be making it fit our idea of a car. If anything, the smart deviated a bit too much and, instead of being cool, was just laughable.
I'd like to think a design similar to the current 1 series would be awesome. Smaller, but similar proportions. Street bike engine in the rear? Oh.
For Sweden
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:22 |
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So, a motorcycle?
Carl (@stuffcarlsays)
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:22 |
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505Turbeaux
> Party-vi
10/22/2013 at 09:23 |
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I was thinking the same exact thing. RR is the way to go, air cooled so you can work on it and save even more weight. Like a safe subaru 360
Group B-raaaaaaaaaap!
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:24 |
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What about this, with a roof?
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EL_ULY
> For Sweden
10/22/2013 at 09:24 |
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lol Vietnam
Sectorgraphics
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:27 |
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I love the concept of a Mini EL City, with a small hybrid engine it would have been awesome.
dropthatclutch
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:27 |
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I've thought of this a hundred times because my Dad takes his huge SuperCrew F150 with the 6.5' box 3.6 miles to work with nothing but himself and a briefcase. The problem is that people don't want more than one car. Cars are a pain in the butt, and people just want their one car to do everything.
Japan somewhat pushed people into cars like you describe with the Kei cars, but you won't get Americans to buy into them without massive incentives.
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Nibby
> Carl (@stuffcarlsays)
10/22/2013 at 09:27 |
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Hahaha not quite like that thing
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Nibby
> For Sweden
10/22/2013 at 09:28 |
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No. It would have a roof and would still resemble a modern car, not some weird figment of someone's imagination.
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Nibby
> Party-vi
10/22/2013 at 09:29 |
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That would work too!
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Nibby
> EL_ULY
10/22/2013 at 09:29 |
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No, better.
Jayhawk Jake
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:31 |
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So, this?
Cloud81918
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:33 |
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I'd not have a F/R layout. It is inefficient. You have having to used a driveshaft and you have to change direction of power. Mid or rear engine would be best if you want RWD. Or FWD too, I mean the CRX is a great example of FWD being sporty and efficient.
Weight distribution a term often thrown around, but a bigger deal of it is made than is needed. RWD has little to do with it. And even if you get 50/50 that balance is modified during nearly ever aspect of a vehicles operation. I wouldn't worry about it, I'd worry about packaging.
I'd drop nav and just use the persons phone for that and entertainment. just a bluetooth receiver and an amp. I've been waiting for a car company to do exactly this.
I think 2 becomes the smallest number of seats in common car because 2 seat offers flexibility. That second seat means you can go pick up a friend or throw a package in it. And the seat really doesn't cost you much. since you already are dealing with a car being a certain width and you MPG isn't affected that much by the weight.
Check out the Smart Roadster. We didn't get them in North America, but they are neat commuter car. They do sit 2.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 09:38 |
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My dad insists this (Daewoo Tico/Suzuki Alto) is actually a one-person car. To even fit, he had to slide the seat back and sit in the middle of the front bench.
He's overweight a good bit, but not ludicrously so.
Jimmeney
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/22/2013 at 09:56 |
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They use these as taxis in Peru, there were 4 of us (inc driver) and 3 large backpacks in one.
I've had a softspot for Ticos ever since.
BrownMiataDieselWagon
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 10:06 |
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Sounds good but I think every Jalopnik reader is waiting for something close to a diesel Miata wagon.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Jimmeney
10/22/2013 at 10:08 |
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You unfortunately don't see them very often in SK anymore, because smog regulations there are fairly strict and most don't pass. It's the same way with most SK cars, and why you see as many Hyundai Gallopers and others (apparently including Ticos) in South America - a thriving end of smog life used export market.
(I don't live in SK, just go there occasionally)
coda900
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 10:16 |
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Sounds like a Twizy....
Or the Twizy F1
Steve Zissou
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 10:19 |
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....and why would anyone looking to spend $15k buy one instead of something like this? Because it's 'better looking'?
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Jimmeney
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/22/2013 at 10:25 |
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To be fair, it was about 2006 when I was there, so they could have vanished too, although they were fairly common. They used to modify them a lot too. But they did have loads of imports, in Bolivia there were loads of Toyota Carinas with very crude conversions to left hand drive (speedo pod still on passenger side etc...).
I was in Sri Lanka recently and I'm sure I saw some Ticos badged as Peroduas, made me happy.
JEM
> Jayhawk Jake
10/22/2013 at 10:41 |
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First thing I thought of too.
If they really build these, I want to be one of the first to get one as a commuter car.
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Jayhawk Jake
> JEM
10/22/2013 at 10:55 |
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I like the idea a lot. If they were available when I was car shopping, I certainly would have considered one as an option for a communter car
feather-throttle-not-hair
> Nibby
10/22/2013 at 14:14 |
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SO....... you're saying you want one?
