RNX7 wrote:
Hi, Dominic BMW Design language has been develop for years, this is our second prototype is too early for common eyes to recognizance lines from Mobyl, if you like to know more about it i could recommend you some Basic Design Books.
I'm always happy to hear recommendations for more reference material but I've got a pretty extensive design/reference library already. Again, I believe you're in no position to call what you've got so far a "Design Language". I can see some common elements (the side vent formed by two contrasting style lines, the truncated triangle grille shape etc) but, until you've completed (not just drawn!) quite a few cars, I don't think it's a language yet.
RNX7 wrote:
About the chassis in the floor panel is not just a but holder like you say, it is a structural element, gives more strength without add more material, I'm guessing you are not engineer right.
Thanks for presuming I have no engineering knowledge. I asked the question precisely because I have enough engineering knowledge to see what you think you're trying to do and guess that you probably don't really understand it. I suspect that you're busy copying lots of other things seen in books and on the Internet a.k.a. "Design by Google". So, please answer the question, which Jack (who definitely has more engineering cred than me) also asked: "What is going on with that floor panel?" I know what a skinned space frame is; I understand how gusseting of a frame works; I understand triangulation, force paths, and tube failure modes. So please tell us what that perforated floor is actually supposed to achieve.
It may be worth me pointing out that I have designed and built my own space frame chassis for a mid-engined Locost-style car (what we in Australia would generically call a "Clubman"). That chassis recently passed the government required and engineer administered physical strength tests (beaming and torsional strength) easily, with strength figures more than twice the minimum required, so I believe I have at least half an idea what I'm doing
RNX7 wrote:
Every single piece should looks good and work , attention to the details is very important.
Photoshop it's a tool and help us to search in volume and graphics, it's better than spent 1 month in a clay model.
While I agree that spending time on a clay model can be costly, your current sketches are unrealistic because they only work from a particular angle or they use exaggerated elements to look good. Until you build a 3D model (even if it's in CAD or some sort of NURBS modelling tool) that you can rotate and view from all angles, you don't really know that your idea really "works".
If the traditional Lotus 7/Locost/Caterham/Clubman has a Design Language, it's one of absolute minimalism. The chassis is enough material to hold the drivetrain and suspension fixed together and the body work is (mostly) aluminium sheet stretched over that frame. There are no clever vents, scoops, flares, wings, trick LED headlights, clever shrouded taillights, or anything else. Just 4 wheels, an engine & drivetrain, and two seats. It's raw in a way that no other sports car is - closer to a motorbike. Once you spend a small fortune on exotically shaped fibreglass panels you shift the car to a different class of owner, who doesn't want the raw and will therefore find the result unsatisfying. If you believe you can make money designing and building cars like your renderings, I suggest you get the first 10 deposits in full and in cash
Sorry if this sounds like a long rant (it probably is since it's late Friday night/early Saturday morning here and I've had a busy week) but I think your enthusiasm exceeds your wisdom at this point. Looking forward to some answers about your engineering decisions.
Best regards,
Dominic