Last Call: The most aerodynamic Prius… in the world

Colby Buchanan

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Comments

I have absolutely no idea what the purpose of this is but it’s amusing nonetheless. I mean if you’re really trying to maximize that mog then sure this might be a good idea. You might get some funny looks during your road trip but hey you’re the real winner right?

I like how the caption jokes about it being a McLaren Speedtail because they really do share some resemblance. The tapered rear end and the smoother hubcaps for sure. The driver is for sure the type of guy to tell everyone that his car breaks necks all the time. I mean he wouldn’t be lying, that’s for sure.

Last Call indicates the end of Hooniverse’s broadcast day. It’s meant to be an open forum for anyone and anything. Thread jacking is not only accepted, it’s encouraged.

About

Colby Buchanan

Colby Buchanan

My name is Colby Buchanan and I love all things car-related all the way from rusted 240sx’s to McLaren Senna’s and of course I have a soft spot for American Muscle. You can spot me in my bone stock ’06 350z named MackenZ.

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22 responses to “Last Call: The most aerodynamic Prius… in the world”

  1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
    Wayne Moyer

    What do you do at inspection time? Do you take all of that off?

    Reply
    1. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      It’s possible it’s from one of the handful of states that doesn’t have inspections, like Minnesota or Michigan.

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        What’s “inspection time,” asks the guy from Oregon now living in Washington?

        Reply
  2. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    We call it the speedtail. We started with a bag of speed, and therein lies a tale.

    Reply
  3. mdharrell Avatar
    mdharrell

    “I have absolutely no idea what the purpose of this is…”

    You’re in for a treat, then, because some of the sincerely and utterly dedicated efforts of the hypermilers are fascinating.

    Reply
    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      At first I was wondering why no fender skirts, but then I figured that the belly pan looks like it creates turbulence instead of eliminating it. Probably not the level of craftsmanship to attach near spinning tires.

      Reply
    2. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      Yes, I doubt the owner brags about all the looks they get, but can probably tell you their average and best fuel economy to three decimal places.

      Reply
  4. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    When you’ve given up cycling but miss the flattering looks of a bike helmet..

    Reply
    1. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      It’s easier to concentrate on your cadence when you block out all the signals from the spaceships.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9b60e88d198e2636be66d98bdc7d4acf88a3bcd612f27fa3accf4dc1521b804e.jpg

      Reply
  5. Scoutdude Avatar
    Scoutdude

    The Prius is a Kammback design and what Kamm figured out was that while a tear drop shape is more aerodynamic you get something like 90%+ of the benefit when you cut it off once the area of the cross section of the tail is about 50% of the area of the cross section at the largest point. So these super long tails have very small benefits.

    The thing I notice is that it has Venshades, which can’t help the aero.

    Reply
    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      Well spotted. They do detract from the flush(ish) glazing.

      Reply
    2. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Ventshades typically help aero compared to having the windows open without them. Windows open lets you keep the air conditioner off longer.

      I have no idea how MPG with the air on compares to MPG with windows open, or how many months of the year that’s comfortable in the local climate.

      Reply
      1. Scoutdude Avatar
        Scoutdude

        Yeah I could see that angle. I don’t know how much energy the Prius compressor draws but on our C-Max it is an intermittent 500w or less once it is maintaining temp and not trying to cool down a car that has been parked in the sun on a hot day. In those situations it will draw up to 1500w or so. n the C-Max I don’t notice a difference between spring/fall don’t need HVAC temps and summer temps where the compressor is frequently running. What I do notice is the drop during heating season. Between the longer warm up times and having to run the engine purely to keep it up to temp/provide heat I see about a 5% drop.

        Reply
        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Have you measured that yourself? I remember that car reviews in the 90s stated that the AC on will add up to another litre/100km in fuel consumption on hot summer days, something that seems to be true in my 2003 model car.

          Reply
        2. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Have you measured that yourself? I remember that car reviews in the 90s stated that the AC on will add up to another litre/100km in fuel consumption on hot summer days, something that seems to be true in my 2003 model car.

          Reply
          1. Scoutdude Avatar
            Scoutdude

            That is reading it off the HVAC power consumption gauge that is on the Energi cars, though I’m sure I can read it using FORScan. The C-max like Toyota Hybrids use an electric compressor so it runs independently of engine rpm.

  6. Professor LavaHot Avatar
    Professor LavaHot

    “I have absolutely no idea what the purpose of this is”

    Yes you do!

    Reply
  7. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    Looks like they’ve replaced a lot of glass to save weight, but not having side mirrors (assuming there is a camera for the rear) is stupid when you’ve blocked the over the shoulder vision. Even little ones from a motorcycle if you must.

    Reply
    1. salguod Avatar
      salguod

      The backup camera would have been mounted on the hatch, which seems to have been removed. Not that it would have been useful in that location. It appears that the clear plastic rear section is designed to provide some rearward visibility.

      Reply
      1. salguod Avatar
        salguod

        Looks like the hatch is still there and what I thought was clear are solar panels.

        https://i.redd.it/3isr3hgp7a141.jpg

        Reply
  8. salguod Avatar
    salguod

    Check out the guy’s Instagram @kimlumbard. He shows off all his mods including a bed, a fridge (he camps in it), a ceiling fan, 3 rear view cameras and full belly pans. Plus a couple of variations on wheel skirts. All seem to be done with the same level of care and skill as what you see above.

    Reply
  9. Ol' Shel' Avatar
    Ol’ Shel’

    I’m not a hypermiler, personally, but I like when anyone is into doing their thing modifying or personalizing their car. I don;t want people sh!tting on my choices for zero good reason, so I choose to be cool about theirs.

    Reply