Solar vehicle’s drag
coefficient a third
that of regular cars

From page 22

designed for minimal aerodynamic
drag. The drag coefficient of the
Dream is 0.1. three times better
than the average car which has a
drag coetficient of about 0.33.

The body is made of u fight-
weight (and expensive) carbon
fibre composite material, conumon-
ly used on Formula One and Indy
race Cars.

The whole car weighs only 187
kilogrants (413 Ibs.) without the
driver. That compares to 1.709 kg
(3.767 lbs.) for a Cadillay DeVille.

‘The Dream has three small, nar-
row tires, one in the rear and two in
the front, mounted on fightweight
magnesium wheels,

The tires, developed by Ingue
Rubber Company of Japan, offer
low-rolling resistance to reduce
friction. The wheels are housed in,
special aerodynamic fairings and
the underside of the car is scaled to
help aerodynamics.

‘The solar cells, manufactured in
the United States by Sunt-ower
Corporation, are made from highly
efficient monocrystalline silicon.

However, what is unigue about
the Dream's solar cells is the plas-
tic sheet that covers them. A tex-
tured acrylic sheet reduces reflec-

_ lions and acts as a prism, directing
50% more sunlight onto the sheet
when the sun is at low angles
(morning and evening).

In addition, electrical energy is
stored in 83 individual 1.5 volt sliv-
er-zinc battery cells. These batteries
provide backup power when the
sun is obscured by'clouds or when
the Dream is climbing hills.

A computerized Peak Power

Tracking systein optimizes voltage .

between the solar cells and the bat-
teries.. .
The Dream has a smal! direc!-

visual’
yetem

drive, brushless DC eleetric motor
built into the single, rear wheel
hub.

Don't plain on walking into a
Honda dewership and ordering
your “Dream” ear yet, though,

The “Dream” solar car is strictly
experimental. a result of a 310 mil-
lion, three-year project by ‘engi-
neers from Honda.

However, Honda solar team
miumayer, Takabiro Iwata, stated
that at least some of the Dream's
technology will be used in the pro-
duction of zero-emissions cars
being built to meet tough new
California standards beginning in
199K,

This is evident in Honda's first

66 The Dream's tech-

nology will be used in

the production of zero-
emission cars... 9?

electric car, the EVX, introduced
last fall. It employs rooftop solar
celfs to charge an auxiliary battery
used to run accessories, such as
heating fans.

As the sole source of locomo-
tion for automobiles, solar power is
still a dream.

But in combination with batter-
ies, fuel cells or hydrogen-fuelled
engines, solar power will be a valu-
able partner in the quest for a pollu-
tion-free automobile.

Test radiator pressute cap with :

cap tester. ov
Check fan blades and pulleys

and teste: ein
kcaaé and automati
? transmission oll for water content,
{ Testcootant : tharmostat,
adiator. thermometer °°:
. Ghéck temporature ga

alignment and damage. >

2. Refill system with correct coolant“

«and check for air locks.
3. Check condition and tension of -

with tenston'gauge.-

Fleeing impaired driver caught by police

WEST VANCOUVER Police
arrested and charged a 39-year-
old Squamish man with a hit-and-
run, impaired driving, and driving
while over .O8 in Horseshoe Bay
on Saturday, Feb. 12.

PEACE OF MIND CAN COST SO

| Take advantage of these

The suspect rear-ended a vehi-
cle at Nelson and Chatham, then
Ned the scene,

In his efforts to find his way
out of Horseshoe Buy, he drove
his Toyota pick-up truck right up

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The occupants of the rear-
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injuries, and then released.

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