Phoenix Turbine Builders Club

New Transportation Directions

June 2007

If you have been following along, you can see the foundation we are laying, and the direction all of this is taking.

Tesla's favorite projects dealt with transportation. In fact, his ultimate goal was to design, build and fly his own personal aircraft or air car. Since his design used a ground-effect lifting fan principle rather than Bernoulli/reaction wings, the design more closely resembles the lifting fan aircar designs of today.

Aircars are still way ahead of the market and practical global use. What's needed today is a new kind of personal transportation device that meets the needs of the largest, untapped auto market of today -- that of the developing world.

If we are to realize the benefits and full potential value of technologies developed within the last 200 years, we have to first of all set aside the moron mantra of "jobs and money", and instead put the health of the world first. We have to unite and fight against a now-forming rogue wave of diesel mania, and kill the destruction of the planet in the making.

To make a long story short, the world needs a lightweight, robust, hybrid vehicle with extremely low emissions, with an equally low price tag.

This is where we come in. For the remainder of this year, our project is to design and develop a low-cost HEV (hybrid-electric vehicle), capable of delivering at least 80 miles per gallon. This is a project that most garage-level mechanics or Do-it-Yourselfers will be able to manage. And while it helps to have your own home metal shop handy, parts for this project can be scrounged or fabricated by local small shops.

About the only part of the project that is beyond most hobbyists' capabilities is the power management system -- which we are planning to put into limited production at a near-future date.

So where do we begin? The first thing is to come up with a rolling chassis. We've chosen to forego the DIY approach here and follow the path of the electric vehicle conversion crowd. It is a lot easier and faster to start with an already proven technology and build on it. In this case, pick out a car of your choice and convert it. Since all cars sold in the U.S. must undergo and pass at least a minimal integrity test, this route will get you well on your way.

In our case we have chosen a small, Ferrari look-alike -- a 1984 Pontiac Fiero -- as our "donor" vehicle. Since vehicles manufactured by existing OEM's already have road worthiness ratings, it is a lot easier to get them licensed and on the road once the conversion is complete.

One of the most important factors to keep in mind when selecting a vehicle is: 

weight = horsepower 
(in a very negative sense)

The heavier the vehicle, the more horsepower will be required in all stages of the drivetrain to reach a reasonable performance level.

With HEV's, lighter is always better. Some of the best candidates are the old VW Rabbits, coming in at around 1800 pounds curb weight. Our Fiero is a bit heavier, at 2600 lbs. curb, but definitely within a good weight spectrum.

Next month we will begin with the first "hands on" step toward that car of the future.