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DeltaWing reveals sports car made from composite materials

06 Jun '14

4 min read

DeltaWing Technologies Inc. revealed how the groundbreaking DeltaWingarchitecture – a highly aerodynamic and lightweight design currently competing in IMSA sports car road races in the form of the DeltaWing race car – could look as a street-legal, four-passenger car.

The rendering depicts an exciting, aerodynamic car design that evokes motion, energy and speed even at a standstill and is unlike any of today's road-going automobiles. And yet the innovative DeltaWingshape is a true form-follows-function design that can significantly reduce aerodynamic drag to help increase fuel efficiency.

Another attribute of the shape is considerably less overall mass. When combined with light-yet-strong materials such as lightweight steel, aluminum and advanced composite materials, the result is a car that can deliver any given performance level with significantly reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional automobiles.

Intended as a solution for manufacturers facing more stringent fuel economy and emissions standards, the platform offers efficiency benefits whether using new generation smaller and lighter high efficiency gas or diesel powertrains, alternative fuels like compressed natural gas (CNG), or today's and tomorrow's hybrid and all-electric powerplants. DeltaWing Technologies Inc. intends to partner with mass-market auto companies that share its vision rather than manufacture independently, thus offering cars with the DeltaWingarchitecture to a broad global audience and significantly expanding the design's efficiency and environmental benefits.

The narrow-track front wheelbase incorporates smaller width tires. The rear-engine design places the center of gravity far to the rear. That results in significantly less weight on the front axles, reducing rolling resistance and further increasing efficiency. Handling is extraordinarily agile, as proven by the narrow front track of the DeltaWing race car competing on America's most challenging road courses in the IMSA-sanctioned TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

"Many of the aerodynamic, lightweight and handling benefits of the race car can translate to the street," said Don Panoz, chairman of DeltaWing Technologies Inc. "We are competing at the highest levels of road racing with half the weight, half the horsepower, and nearly half of the fuel consumption. We believe we can deliver similar results on the street without compromising safety, comfort and performance. We have a formula that's highly efficient and still fun to drive."