Dirigo three-wheeler now up to 99 mpg, wood panels look good
Dirigo - Click above for an image gallery
One of the cars participating in the One Gallon Challenge is the Dirigo three wheeler. Built by Bill Buchholz, the Dirigo is right now tantalizingly close to the 100 mpg goal of the One Gallon Challenge (and the Automotive X Prize, of course). Buchholz had the following to say about his car:
Designed and built to compete in the Automotive X Prize, we have since dropped out, but finished the car and are still refining it. It is up to 99mpg on rolling country roads averaging 45mph. A hundred is within reach. Top speed so far 72mph. 0-60 about 30 seconds. Cars name is Dirigo, Latin for We Lead.
Particulars: Mid engine, front wheel drive. Three cylinder Diahatsu 950cc diesel, five speed transmission from '85 Ford Ranger. Shift pattern is reversed because the tranny is in backward. Front differential, suspension, and steering from Kawasaki Mule, rear end from '85 Kawasaki 750. Drum brakes front, disc rear. Body is strip plank wood, fenders carbon fiber.
1300 lbs., track 68", wheelbase 110".
Particulars: Mid engine, front wheel drive. Three cylinder Diahatsu 950cc diesel, five speed transmission from '85 Ford Ranger. Shift pattern is reversed because the tranny is in backward. Front differential, suspension, and steering from Kawasaki Mule, rear end from '85 Kawasaki 750. Drum brakes front, disc rear. Body is strip plank wood, fenders carbon fiber.
1300 lbs., track 68", wheelbase 110".
Some of you had questions about the vehicle design when we first heard about the car in spring 2008. Whaddya think now?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
contact 4:28PM (5/23/2009)
jeez, if you're going to wood you could at least use luon or something lighter than that. Sure it won't be as pretty as a coffee table but it may save some grams.
p.s. With only 1300lbs he could probably use a small diesel generator instead of an actual engine. Just floor it till you get up to 45mph and then stay in 5th as long as possible.
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Bill Buchholz 6:20PM (5/24/2009)
Singe skin luan won't give the stiffness or strength that wood composite offers. Western red cedar is a lighter species than luan, anyway. Besides, flat panels don't allow compound curves which generally make for more aerodynamic shapes. This body weighs 110lbs. I can't think of another way to get compound curves as quickly as lightly as this. If anybody does, please let me know!
Regarding the X-Prize, there are two categories: mainstream and alternative. We were designing for the alternative class. I don't think cars like the Aptera are not taking the Prize seriously: the point is to broaden our thinking about transportation. What does a car need to be? Safety is only one small consideration when we reconsider person transportation.
Lastly, the car was built by a core group of four people: Evan Schmidt, Rick Pearson, Bob Baily and myself.
Mark 10:12AM (5/24/2009)
I thought the X-Prize was about getting a car that can go 100mpg but could carry 4 people. Ok I know these entries lately do this, but how about crash testing and other things like that? First the foam car now this, why are people not taking this prize seriously?
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jimmy_ngai 12:04AM (6/08/2009)
cool looking car...
won't be as strong as the aptera
but it'll still be safer than a motorcycle
you won't need to worry about if it rains
i like it.
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GenWaylaid 1:21AM (5/27/2009)
This would make a great kit car! I would suggest trying to move the side windows higher, if at all possible. Taller drivers could have some visibility problems.
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wave54 5:59PM (5/26/2009)
Wow! With that 30-second 0-60 mph time, this car might as well be classified as an low-speed neighborhood vehicle or a pure city car despite its 72 mph top speed.
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John 6:41AM (5/31/2009)
On the Latin, dirigo means "I lead" as in "I steer," as in "I steer the car."
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