OK, perhaps I was too power hungry. However, my point is that the ICE
in an air car would have to be more than a toy. If the ICE is equal
to that of a Prius, which is big enough, why not buy a Prius or the
cheep Chinese version?
Ed
On Oct 28, 2008, at 2:13 PM, Jed Rothwell wrote:
Edmund Storms wrote:
A normal car needs at least 100 hp to meet the needs of speed and
hills in the US.
The Prius ICE delivers 70 hp max.
As Stephen A. Lawrence pointed out, small cars such as the older VWs
had 35 hp motors, and kept up with traffic. However they were kind
of dangerous at highway speeds. Lightweight yet safe vehicles could
be developed using advanced materials and techniques.
My 1994 Geo Metro, which one reviewer affectionately called a
"hamster powered tin can on wheels" has a 55 hp motor which was
barely enough for U.S. highways when the car was new.
- Jed
