Lots of good ideas so far... Here are some additional thoughts...
"you can't just block off the openings in the front"
Look close at the picture you will see grille is louvered and below the front air dam would be a variable opening scoop to allow air in when needed (when stopped or in traffic) could work with speed like the rear spoiler on a late model Porsche 911 turbo (only in reverse).
"As long as we're going all out -- how about a small change to the already-not-entirely-un-aerodynamic wheels?"
Good idea, new smooth wheels (read below on LRR tires concept) which could be much lighter also.
"The wheels have to have some ability to cool the brakes, so you probably don't want to just cover them over completely"
Again air could be ducted to the brakes from under the car, heat could trigger opening the ducts. Also, big aluminum discs can conduct heat rather well.
"One thing I have been pondering is to incorporate a Peltier device with a radiator."
Now take that idea and apply it as a source for A/C like we do for the NASCAR driver helmets in the heat. Use Peltier plates to produce cold or warm air depending on the polarity of the current to them, paired to heat-sinks (cold-sinks) and air ducted across them, then into the cabin or better yet from the seat which would cool your body (like the seats in a Cobra helicopter). Then get rid of the weight of the current A/C system and the HP drain on the ICE (of course will drain more battery but that's another reason to up the battery pack size).
Additionally, use a Peltier based air induction system to supply up to 1 psi of boost to the ICE (electric turbo "somewhat") as well as control air temperature to optimize lean burn conditions. This could be electronically controlled to provide optimal boost and temperature conditions for the ICE (increase HP and window of lean burn).
"I'm hoping that this latest round of concern about fuel economy will pull some new LRR tires out of the woodwork..."
For sure better LRR tires would help. I recently had a discussion with an Amish man regarding the reason wheels on his buggy were so tall and narrow. He stated "because they help you roll over stuff and are easier for the horse to pull the buggy" thus it takes less horsepower... Now take a normal tire on a car we need it for traction and for lateral stability to help keep the car on the road, however, this causes rolling resistance (wider tire more = resistance).
Food for thought... Now, use three smaller tires side by side (almost like motorcycle front tires) these could be independently inflated (electronically controlled) like on the Army Hummer (no not the H2). This would allow the center tire to be inflated slightly more on demand to reduce rolling resistance. As the car changes direction or lateral force is detected the tires would immediately equalize for maximum traction. This would be no small undertaking and would be a very complex system but would provide the ultimate LRR on demand...
Let's keep the ideas coming...
"you can't just block off the openings in the front"
Look close at the picture you will see grille is louvered and below the front air dam would be a variable opening scoop to allow air in when needed (when stopped or in traffic) could work with speed like the rear spoiler on a late model Porsche 911 turbo (only in reverse).
"As long as we're going all out -- how about a small change to the already-not-entirely-un-aerodynamic wheels?"
Good idea, new smooth wheels (read below on LRR tires concept) which could be much lighter also.
"The wheels have to have some ability to cool the brakes, so you probably don't want to just cover them over completely"
Again air could be ducted to the brakes from under the car, heat could trigger opening the ducts. Also, big aluminum discs can conduct heat rather well.
"One thing I have been pondering is to incorporate a Peltier device with a radiator."
Now take that idea and apply it as a source for A/C like we do for the NASCAR driver helmets in the heat. Use Peltier plates to produce cold or warm air depending on the polarity of the current to them, paired to heat-sinks (cold-sinks) and air ducted across them, then into the cabin or better yet from the seat which would cool your body (like the seats in a Cobra helicopter). Then get rid of the weight of the current A/C system and the HP drain on the ICE (of course will drain more battery but that's another reason to up the battery pack size).
Additionally, use a Peltier based air induction system to supply up to 1 psi of boost to the ICE (electric turbo "somewhat") as well as control air temperature to optimize lean burn conditions. This could be electronically controlled to provide optimal boost and temperature conditions for the ICE (increase HP and window of lean burn).
"I'm hoping that this latest round of concern about fuel economy will pull some new LRR tires out of the woodwork..."
For sure better LRR tires would help. I recently had a discussion with an Amish man regarding the reason wheels on his buggy were so tall and narrow. He stated "because they help you roll over stuff and are easier for the horse to pull the buggy" thus it takes less horsepower... Now take a normal tire on a car we need it for traction and for lateral stability to help keep the car on the road, however, this causes rolling resistance (wider tire more = resistance).
Food for thought... Now, use three smaller tires side by side (almost like motorcycle front tires) these could be independently inflated (electronically controlled) like on the Army Hummer (no not the H2). This would allow the center tire to be inflated slightly more on demand to reduce rolling resistance. As the car changes direction or lateral force is detected the tires would immediately equalize for maximum traction. This would be no small undertaking and would be a very complex system but would provide the ultimate LRR on demand...
Let's keep the ideas coming...
