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Automobiles => General Automotive => Topic started by: MG on April 30, 2010, 08:42:00 AM

Title: Lotus Says: For Better MPG, Just Add Lightness!
Post by: MG on April 30, 2010, 08:42:00 AM

Lotus Engineering has just released a study showing how the total weight of future cars can be reduced by 38%, fuel consumption can be reduced by 23% with only a 3% increase in production costs.

Remember, you heard it here first. Read the article (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-21840-New-England-Automotive-Examiner~y2010m4d30-For-better-mpg-just-add-lightness--Lotus-Engineering).

Title: Re: Lotus Says: For Better MPG, Just Add Lightness!
Post by: Allan L on May 11, 2010, 12:57:44 PM

In the article it says "Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars, was famous for saying, "To go faster, just add lightness". Chapman was renowned for finding innovative ways to reduce the weight of his race cars."

Teddy Petter (British aeroplane designer) is usually credited with having said:
"Simplicate and add lightness!"

If only Chapman had followed both parts of Petter's motto I feel sure his Lotus designs would have been even better (and perhaps a tad more robust).