AZEqualizer
01-20-2008, 07:01 PM
Greetings from all of us at Venture Vehicles!
First off, can't thank everyone enough for helping us in the design decision process. Your participation, along with your comments and feedback on the Forum have been nothing short of tremendous. There aren't a lot of decisions that we will make that are more important than the vehicle design. Over the past 30 days or so, we have received input and feedback from our Forum community, from people who have pre-registered at FTR.com as well as as other consumers through some targeted testing through a highly recognized outside automotive research firm. Combining that feedback with the extensive discussion our Vv team has had and the feedback for our strategic partners, the information base is VERY significant.
So you know, we have gone back to our design partner, reviewed the feedback and comments with them and have asked them to provide us with further design refinements to both the "C" and "D" versions, based on all of the feedback we're getting. We received some excellent ideas, and we want to be sure that we give the designers an opportunity to at least see if they can incorporate some of those ideas before our final down-select.
Our plan is to receive revised "C" and "D" design renderings by February 1st. Once we've had a chance to review them internally, we'll post them on the Forum -- as well as go back to our "pre-registered" and consumers that participated in our consumer testing last month -- and let them take one last look before we make our final decision. It's a bit of an unplanned, extra step... but we don't want to leave any stone unturned before making our final decision.
It's an important milestone, since once we get the exterior vehicle design direction locked down, the designers will begin working in earnest on the vehicle's interior design.
On the engineering front, we're making steady progress. In addition to adding an additional, world-class engineering partner to our group, we've just hired an EVP of Engineering who's started this week. He comes with an extensive automotive engineering background with major automotive companies (Ford, Lotus, Jaguar, ect.), and is already making a positive impact. Also, several members of the executive team have a number of meetings with key suppliers all this week in both the US and Canada (as for myself, I have to take an important meeting here on Monday, and then I'm off to San Francisco for discussion on in-vehicle entertainment and telematics issues). These meetings will help us get closer to addressing a few outstanding engineering issues, and allow us to begin locking down our supplier-partner base as well.
We also got a first look at our HEV propulsion mule. Rather than doing this on a bench, we had it installed in a sandrail* for the functional testing, and for making further technical and component refinements:
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4496.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4498.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4504.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4505.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4509.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4512.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4515.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4522.jpg
I agree, it ain't exactly pretty, but it not only works, it's got absolutely mad acceleration! The way it just slides up the power curve, you'd think there was no upper limit! Once we're satisfied that the propulsion system's working to spec, we'll be incorporating it into the new, 3-wheeled, Alpha space-frame chassis; wiring up the tilt-control system; and starting our preliminary road testing. Like you, I can barely wait for this to happen.
Again, we sincerely appreciate your continued help and support, and look forward to getting the new vehicle design refinements to you in our next posting. I can't wait to see your comments.
Thanks again!
-- Ian
{Posted: 2008-01-20 on FTR site Ian Bruce}
VFnf17cp3Eg
mkFuwioG7sQ
"That’s one huge electric motor for a tiny tilting three wheeler...."-clearnot
It's a 50kW with a 70kW peak. It probably looks larger that it actually is since it's plugged into the sandrail's existing transmission. The power-pod you see in the "C" and "D" concepts were designed around this very motor.
{Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"While I'm a bit disappointed that the in wheel motors have been abandoned (I really think that tech is the future of cars and it would have been great to see it first in the V1)"-Necoras
Both myself, and my new EVP of Engineering, agree with you.
Unfortunately, in-wheels just aren't ready for prime-time. What I can tell you is that there's nothing in our propulsion package design that specifically excludes them from use if they do become generally available. We did an engineering analysis fairly early on -- and the the conclusion was that the unsprung mass, while an issue, didn't negatively impact us to any great degree.
{Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"It would seem 'near impossible to fit that motor, associated accessories, AND an ICE for the Hybrid into either Power Pod, but I guess that is why the engineers get the 'Big Bucks'..."-Rogwild
Might not look like it -- but really -- it all fits:
http://flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/Prop_Pod.jpg (http://flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/Prop_Pod.jpg)
{Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"Will the initial model still have regenerative braking?" -pudgiechild
Absolutely. Besides, we have to do something with Atomic Monkey's momentum -- it'd be a shame to waste it. ;^) {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"Thanks, Ian, I said 'near impossible'; leave it to those engineers!
Love those 'Techie Drawings'. Gas tank and Radiator too, WOW. Hope the Power Pod cover comes off easily for access, looks 'crammed full'."- Rogwild
Rogwild: If you look at it superimposed into Concept "C" you'll see that we still have a fair amount of elbow room -- even more so in Concept "D".
http://flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/Prop_Pod_side.jpg
Roll the vehicle to one side, and the engine panels come up for servicing. {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"It looks like the rear wheels will turn, as shown in that schematic..."- smoove7410
They do. It's completely automatic, and adds a lot to cornering dynamics. I'll have more on actual 0-60 performance after we've done real-world testing on the Alpha chassis. Suffice to say, we all want the same thing. ;^) {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"...it looks like the passenger will be straddling the drivers seat. I thought the goal was not to stradle the driver's seat. Care to comment?" - JJA
The illustration includes the frame and seating of the CarverOne only as a reference. The actual seating will be more like this:
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_4_07_post/31.jpg {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
First off, can't thank everyone enough for helping us in the design decision process. Your participation, along with your comments and feedback on the Forum have been nothing short of tremendous. There aren't a lot of decisions that we will make that are more important than the vehicle design. Over the past 30 days or so, we have received input and feedback from our Forum community, from people who have pre-registered at FTR.com as well as as other consumers through some targeted testing through a highly recognized outside automotive research firm. Combining that feedback with the extensive discussion our Vv team has had and the feedback for our strategic partners, the information base is VERY significant.
So you know, we have gone back to our design partner, reviewed the feedback and comments with them and have asked them to provide us with further design refinements to both the "C" and "D" versions, based on all of the feedback we're getting. We received some excellent ideas, and we want to be sure that we give the designers an opportunity to at least see if they can incorporate some of those ideas before our final down-select.
Our plan is to receive revised "C" and "D" design renderings by February 1st. Once we've had a chance to review them internally, we'll post them on the Forum -- as well as go back to our "pre-registered" and consumers that participated in our consumer testing last month -- and let them take one last look before we make our final decision. It's a bit of an unplanned, extra step... but we don't want to leave any stone unturned before making our final decision.
It's an important milestone, since once we get the exterior vehicle design direction locked down, the designers will begin working in earnest on the vehicle's interior design.
On the engineering front, we're making steady progress. In addition to adding an additional, world-class engineering partner to our group, we've just hired an EVP of Engineering who's started this week. He comes with an extensive automotive engineering background with major automotive companies (Ford, Lotus, Jaguar, ect.), and is already making a positive impact. Also, several members of the executive team have a number of meetings with key suppliers all this week in both the US and Canada (as for myself, I have to take an important meeting here on Monday, and then I'm off to San Francisco for discussion on in-vehicle entertainment and telematics issues). These meetings will help us get closer to addressing a few outstanding engineering issues, and allow us to begin locking down our supplier-partner base as well.
We also got a first look at our HEV propulsion mule. Rather than doing this on a bench, we had it installed in a sandrail* for the functional testing, and for making further technical and component refinements:
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4496.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4498.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4504.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4505.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4509.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4512.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4515.jpg
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/IMG_4522.jpg
I agree, it ain't exactly pretty, but it not only works, it's got absolutely mad acceleration! The way it just slides up the power curve, you'd think there was no upper limit! Once we're satisfied that the propulsion system's working to spec, we'll be incorporating it into the new, 3-wheeled, Alpha space-frame chassis; wiring up the tilt-control system; and starting our preliminary road testing. Like you, I can barely wait for this to happen.
Again, we sincerely appreciate your continued help and support, and look forward to getting the new vehicle design refinements to you in our next posting. I can't wait to see your comments.
Thanks again!
-- Ian
{Posted: 2008-01-20 on FTR site Ian Bruce}
VFnf17cp3Eg
mkFuwioG7sQ
"That’s one huge electric motor for a tiny tilting three wheeler...."-clearnot
It's a 50kW with a 70kW peak. It probably looks larger that it actually is since it's plugged into the sandrail's existing transmission. The power-pod you see in the "C" and "D" concepts were designed around this very motor.
{Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"While I'm a bit disappointed that the in wheel motors have been abandoned (I really think that tech is the future of cars and it would have been great to see it first in the V1)"-Necoras
Both myself, and my new EVP of Engineering, agree with you.
Unfortunately, in-wheels just aren't ready for prime-time. What I can tell you is that there's nothing in our propulsion package design that specifically excludes them from use if they do become generally available. We did an engineering analysis fairly early on -- and the the conclusion was that the unsprung mass, while an issue, didn't negatively impact us to any great degree.
{Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"It would seem 'near impossible to fit that motor, associated accessories, AND an ICE for the Hybrid into either Power Pod, but I guess that is why the engineers get the 'Big Bucks'..."-Rogwild
Might not look like it -- but really -- it all fits:
http://flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/Prop_Pod.jpg (http://flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/Prop_Pod.jpg)
{Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"Will the initial model still have regenerative braking?" -pudgiechild
Absolutely. Besides, we have to do something with Atomic Monkey's momentum -- it'd be a shame to waste it. ;^) {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"Thanks, Ian, I said 'near impossible'; leave it to those engineers!
Love those 'Techie Drawings'. Gas tank and Radiator too, WOW. Hope the Power Pod cover comes off easily for access, looks 'crammed full'."- Rogwild
Rogwild: If you look at it superimposed into Concept "C" you'll see that we still have a fair amount of elbow room -- even more so in Concept "D".
http://flytheroad.com/1_18_07_post/Prop_Pod_side.jpg
Roll the vehicle to one side, and the engine panels come up for servicing. {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"It looks like the rear wheels will turn, as shown in that schematic..."- smoove7410
They do. It's completely automatic, and adds a lot to cornering dynamics. I'll have more on actual 0-60 performance after we've done real-world testing on the Alpha chassis. Suffice to say, we all want the same thing. ;^) {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}
"...it looks like the passenger will be straddling the drivers seat. I thought the goal was not to stradle the driver's seat. Care to comment?" - JJA
The illustration includes the frame and seating of the CarverOne only as a reference. The actual seating will be more like this:
http://www.flytheroad.com/1_4_07_post/31.jpg {Posted: 2008-01-20 FTR site IanBruce}