Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

So, who is is actually kinda impressed by the Lotus-esque prototype that Chrysler just re-unveiled?

What I find somewhat interesting is that while they're posting performance numbers that are somewhat short of Tesla, said numbers might actually make this thing align a bit better with, oh, reality for instance? In other words, it seems there's a good chance that they might follow through with their promises to actually produce it.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Its ok looking, I don't really like the headlights. Performance #'s are impressive imo. I wonder if it will carry a hefty price tag like the Tesla.
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levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

The more I look at it the more I dislike the front end.
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ChairFaceChippendale

iTrader: (1)

i know it's kind of their trademark, but i wish dodge would stop putting that front grille on everything. it was outdated a long time ago. it is kind of interesting looking..sort of a lotus meets viper i guess.

i wonder how long it will take the transmission to explode with all that torque.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Hard to say...

They haven't posted any details on the gearbox so far as I can tell, though the interior photos where you can see the "shifter" give no indication of multiple gears, just forward, reverse, and neutral.

With a 120 MPH top speed and 480 ft/lbs, I'd say it's plausible that the car may have only a single forward gear. Additionally, AC motors are capable of running backwards, so reverse need not be a separate physical gearset. The inclusion of a neutral button merits thought, but this could simply be an electrical neutral rather than a mechanical one. All in all, it's entirely possible that the whole gearbox consists of nothing but a differential and a reduction gear. Without the requirement for movable synromesh components and the like, such a box could be built to withstand damn near anything.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

thanks for the link joe

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Let me google that for you

y8s

iTrader: (8)

no that's not proper use of LMGTFY. you posted a thread with no pics or links of the subject matter.

i already googled it prior to your linkage though.

and my thoughts are:

the chrysler style design team must have been looking at lots of existing car pictures. RSX + viper + avenger + some cheap copy of a ferarri side intake and I'm trying to figure out what the trunk lid reminds me of. hyundai tiburon?

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

I assumed the subject matter to be common knowledge, given our target audience. Do I need to start inserting Wikipedia-style links into every thread on the forum?

Well, the Circuit's body and chassis are based upon the Lotus Europa, [citation needed] so I'd say that's probably why the overall styling seems a bit of deja-vu. I agree that the cross-style front end is getting a bit passe nowadays (it was fine on the pickup trucks, but I've never much cared for it on the sleeker coupe designs) but overall, I find it consistent with present-day styling trends in the strongly retro-muscle inspired American automotive industry.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

It's still a dodge...

But yeah, I was surprised there was no link at the top. Looks like Mr. Perez made up for the lack of linkage though.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

site policy should require the use of Encyclopedia Dramatica for all citations. but thank you. that was very detailed.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Fixed.

Besides, there's one small problem with trying to access Dramatica from work:

y8s

iTrader: (8)

yeah i didn't want to put the ae thing in cuz I are lazy.

btw, small companies without restrictive policies ftw

ScottFW

iTrader: (4)

Large bureaucratic employer, but dyndns.org and a router at home running Tomato firmware used as a proxy via SSH tunnel FTW.

It's pretty good looking for a Dodge, and having full torque available from 1 rpm would be suh-weet. But if you listen to financial analysts, Chrysler may not be around very long unless they get bought out again. They will also have to deal with the fact that American auto makers' reputation, at least regarding electric vehicles, is still in the crusher alongside the EV1. Owners generally had favorable opinions of them, but that same crowd who were once the early adopters might think twice about buying another electric vehicle after getting the plug pulled on them the first time. Furthermore, with the overall economy slated to be in the ******* for quite a while (some forecasts are that GDP won't resume a typical 2.3% growth rate until 2015) that means gas prices will remain low for quite a while yet. We won't be seeing $3 gas any time soon, and that is going to keep demand for electrics low. IMO there are some strong market factors working against its success.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, tell me about it.

What bothers me more than anything is that they're complete retards about how they implement the filtering. Let me give you an example.

For a couple of years we've used GoToMyPC.com to remotely access and monitor routing systems that we have installed at our customers' sites. Many times these machines are in unattended locations, and at the rest, problems often happen outside normal business hours (when nobody is there) so it's nice to be able to get in remotely.

A few weeks ago, I suddenly started getting the blocked message when I tried to access http:\\www.gotomypc.com from work. So I contacted IS and explained to them why I needed to access it (ie: we have sold service contracts to our customers, and I can't very well service them if I can't see them) and so on. Their reply (which I will quote verbatim):So, let's review here. They're afraid that if I'm allowed to use GotomyPC, that I might be able to remotely access my own computer, presumably from home, and as a result, productivity might take place! (slaps self on forehead).

Never mind of course that there are a dozen other remote access clients (such as Logmein.com) that aren't blocked, nor are the various dynamic DNS updaters, we all have real-world IPs, and the firewall does not block incoming VNC requests. So of the hundred or so ways I could be remotely hacking into my own computer, they blocked the only one that I actually use to do legitimate business with.

"Paging Mordac the Preventer of Information Services."

It's OK, though. I finally figured out I can still access it. Instead of http:\\www.gotomypc.com, I just enter https:\\www.gotomypc.com, which is where the former redirects to anyway.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

My thoughts exactly. (Except I don't bother with SSH- I just use VNC in the clear.)

ChairFaceChippendale

iTrader: (1)

i'd imagine it would be a pretty similar setup to what they have going on in the tesla, multiple gears on an electric car would be pretty silly. i just can't help but poke fun at dodge transmissions. although i do hear their manuals are much much better than the automatics.

i would really like to have the chance to drive an electric car. i've already decided i'd probably buy one when they become affordable, but there is no way it would ever be my only car. i just like piston engines too much.

i had the opportunity to drive a full out drag car before, and i can only imagine how capable an electric would be with a good drag setup. full torque at 0 rpm is a beautiful thing.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Don't forget- the Tesla originally had a two-speed gearbox (both forward, with electronic reverse). The idea was that you'd keep it in second for everyday driving, but use first for racing. Reliability problems with this gearbox led them to back-burner it and ship all the current production cars with a single-speed gearbox, though plans to bring the two-speed back are still in consideration.

Well, I seriously doubt that Chrysler is actually building the trannny in this case. For starters, this is a fundamentally different design, and at best a very low production volume one. I'd expect they've contracted it out to a boutique firm. Also, the Dodge Circuit is in fact a Lotus Europa S with a drivetrain conversion. Given that, and also the working relationship between Lotus and Tesla, I wouldn't be at all surprised if coincidence led Chrysler to the same transmission supplier as Tesla.

They still weird me out a little. I always find it odd when I'm in a parking lot and somebody gets into a Prius or an Insight, closes the door, and then silently rolls away.

ChairFaceChippendale

iTrader: (1)

i actually do remember the two-speed now that you mention it. good call.

i kind of had the same thought as far as the manufacturer for the gearbox goes. as with anything on cars there are only so many people who make any type of component, and it'll probably be cheaper for them just to buy an existing unit rather than try to build their own.

and yeah, i imagine that whole silent thing is going to be a little weird for a long time. at the very least it will darwinicise any stupid little kids running around in the street when they aren't supposed to be.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

You joke about it, but some particular coalition for the blind has in fact been raising a stink (to the point of lobbying congress) that EVs (to include plugin hybrids) pose an unwarranted risk to their safety as they cannot hear EVs approaching crosswalks, intersections, etc., and might therefore accidentally walk out in front of one.

The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 (if passed) will require the DOT to determine a minimum safe noise level for cars, and force automakers to add noisemaking devices to EVs to bring them into compliance. A couple of groups (I think MIT was somehow involved) have actually developed devices to sense the roadspeed of an EV and produce a sound which simulates what a normal ICE car would be making under the same conditions.

Anybody remember the box somebody was selling for a while that had a loudspeaker, an amp, and a synthesizer that made your stock Honda Civic DX sound like a V-12 Ferrari? Yeah, it's like that...