Building a dream car

"carwitter" (carwitter) 02/19/2014 at 12:58 • Filed to: dream car, drivers car

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I am a dreamer, and I can't help it.

When I'm on the road, driving a canyon, sometimes I feel like I'm fulfilling a dream. I'm in the driver's seat. I've got a machine around me. It's my suit of armor to attack the roads and challenges that lie ahead.

Sometimes, I wish I had the one car that did it all for me; something fun, fast, gripping, aural, reactive, intuitive, and able to bring a few passengers with me. After reading an article about a technician who built his own McLaren F1 from scratch on minimal money, I wonder if it's actually possible.

Here are a few ideas.

Rear engine.

All-wheel drive.

Limited slip rear differential, with a 25:75 ratio, adjustable.

2+2 seating.

Lightweight.

Low stance.

Narrow bodywork.

This is not going to be easy...or cheap!

What would be some cars of inspiration?

Porsche 911 turbo series with all-wheel drive

Lotus Evora

Lotus Elise

Audi R8

Nissan GTR

Renault Gordini

Toyota GT86

Interior

I have split opinion about interiors. A part of me loves the absolute simplicity of a Lotus Elise.

The tachometer and speedometer are easy to read and attractive. The design is neatly laid out. The cowl is low and there are two simple functions; the radio and the HVAC unit. This allows the vehicle to stay lightweight and ergonomic.

Porsche interiors, on the other hand, have come a long way since the 1990's. The functions are all a simple reach away, but the chassis has added sophistication with materials, design, and function.

Navigation systems, a sport chrono package, adjustable suspension, traction control, and other systems are all a finger tip away.

Yet, none of that takes away from the five-dial Porsche layout with the tri-spoke Sport steering wheel.

It's like setting up the functions of the U.S.S. Enterprise, and allowing you to go to warp with you in the cockpit.

With a dream car though, a Lotus-like interior with an alcantara dash and F1-style steering wheel would be perfect.

A basic navigation system with a large screen similar to the Tesla Model S would look fantastic. There's no need for traction control, adjustable suspensions, or sport tailpipes. That should all be standard to a fixed setting. I would love to see a 270* tach similar to a Ferrari 458 or Mazda Rx-8.

Seats can come straight from the Toyota GT86. The sport cloth is great for various weather conditions. The seats are thick enough for lateral support, yet small enough to fit within compact dimensions. The back seat is just for a couple of people needing a ride in a pinch anyway.

Exterior

In terms of exterior looks, it helps to have something striking to look the part. Porsche's are quite common in Southern California. People are lowering Nissan GT-R's and Ferrari 458s while adding fender flares for a further lowered look. The appearance is definitely more distinct and exotic.

However, I am a fan of the latest Acura/Honda NSX concept. I can't help but think a 1' stretch in the middle wouldn't hurt the lines too much, while still retaining a restrained, sharp look. Since the car will be carrying a small engine with a rear engine layout, it'll help out with making the car a 2+2.

Gearbox

I would love to see a 7-speed Porsche-derived DSG connected to a front and rear diff in order to get the 25:75 torque split.

This leads to a car with a tendency to oversteer, more retain just enough grip in the front for all-weather conditions. No torque vectoring is required. Simple all-wheel-drive layouts have plenty of grip for various conditions while still retaining a sporting character to the drive.

While I like the idea of having the transmission out of a BAC mono, I don't think it would be strong enough for the given application. The car may end up around a theoretical 1400kg with the all-wheel-drive system and additional differentials, so something more robust is necessary.

Engine

Power should come through a shrieking F1-style motor. A high-revving diesel from Mazda's Skyactiv technology came to mind, as well as a prototype diesel related to Audi's Le Man race vehicles, but nothing beats the sound a small displacement v8.

A 3.0 litre v8 with a 9,000 rpm redline is quite extreme, but so are my tastes. Luckily the PDK transmission should be able to hold up. Output should be around 400bhp and 300lb.ft. of torque, with larger bores and small strokes to create a linear torque curve.

Conclusion

Essentially, my car dream car is a stretched Acura NSX concept, with a Lotus interior, Tesla navigation system, Toyota GT86 seats, Audi R8 all-wheel-drive system, rear-engined machine with a daily driveable F1 inspired motor. More details can be added, but that is a good start.

Unfortunately, there's nothing that comes close to it in the market. Still, it is fun to dream of something extraordinary, and personalized to my tastes.

Can you imagine what that car would be like on the road? We live in a world where a Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1, with their advanced, sophisticated technologies, exist.

Perhaps my dream car will be made sooner than we think.

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Original article -Building a dream car from carwitter.com

Casper > carwitter 02/19/2014 at 13:03

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It sounds like you just described a Porsche GT3 with the engine moved to midship.

I'm surprised that your dream car would be AWD and DSG. My dream car would be for fun not lap times, but to each their own. If I were to build a car from scratch for fun, it would be midengine, 26b turbo, and about as flat as possible... with all it's power to the rear wheels and internal active aerodynamics.

I have already started building one of my dream cars. This one is for my DD when I'm not riding my motorcycle, but there are many many more cars yet to be built floating around in my head.

jesuschrysler-geo-cpt-planet > carwitter 02/19/2014 at 15:14

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Gods speed my brave soul. May your fabrication skills carry you far. Mid engine and 4 wheels putting a buch of horsepower to the pavement sounds just amazing to me. I have been reading in all of my free time on suspension, areo and engine design ( since i don't have much money). I also have a couple smaller projects planned so that my fabrication skills are at a higher level when I take on that ultimate project. My hobby is solidified for the rest of my life.

jesuschrysler-geo-cpt-planet > Casper 02/19/2014 at 16:04

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Is that a turbo Miata motor?

Also, what are you thinking on the active internal aero? Something that opens and closes to direct air to radiators and coolers depending on temp? Or...?

Casper > jesuschrysler-geo-cpt-planet 02/19/2014 at 17:15

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It's an SR20DET.

Internal aero would be based around a venturi(ish) tunnel. The lower side of the vehicle would operate as a perfectly flat surface minus the leading edge having a distortion lip to generate low pressure and a rear diffuser to direct it as needed. The amount of down force would be regulated by the flow of air taken into the front intake structure (also cooling the radiator) and passed through the vehicle body as a tunnel. Within the ducting the air would be directed either immediately back up and over the body of the car while also opening ducts under the car to further reduce the pressure, providing both down force via depressurization of the underside and pressurization of the upper body of the vehicle. At "cruising" speed or when approaching the mechanical limits of the vehicle it would adjust to become as neutral as possible to reduce drag both exterior and interior, taking in the minimal amount of air for cooling purposes.

The idea would be that the entire front half of the cars body work would service only to house aero features and regulate air intake. The radiator, engine, and other features being midship would receive intake or cooling as needed via regulated air direction from the main stream. Excess air would be used for down force or pressure reduction effects.