La Macchina - Revision history

Ardeshirmehta at 20:32, 22 September 2009

2009-09-22T20:32:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:32, 22 September 2009
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	In normal use the screen displays the complete view to the rear and sides, generated via one or more suitably-situated cameras; there will be no [[blind spot]]s in the display. (Rear-view mirrors will, as a result, not be necessary for La Macchina, though they can, of course, be provided if the owner so desires.) The screen can also show a virtual "map" of the car's immediate environment from a "God's Eye" point of view (i.e., as if it were being observed from above), and on which is indicated, with the help of a grid, how far all the objects around the car are. This would allow the driver the ability to "see" all around the car and drive the car more easily in cramped conditions.		In normal use the screen displays the complete view to the rear and sides, generated via one or more suitably-situated cameras; there will be no [[blind spot]]s in the display. (Rear-view mirrors will, as a result, not be necessary for La Macchina, though they can, of course, be provided if the owner so desires.) The screen can also show a virtual "map" of the car's immediate environment from a "God's Eye" point of view (i.e., as if it were being observed from above), and on which is indicated, with the help of a grid, how far all the objects around the car are. This would allow the driver the ability to "see" all around the car and drive the car more easily in cramped conditions.

	===Ergonomics, a.k.a "Human Factors Engineering===		===Ergonomics, a.k.a "Human Factors Engineering"===
	Great attention will be paid to ergonomics and the human-machine interface, also—and better—known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors#Human_Factors_Engineering "Human Factors Engineering"]. It will be possible for the driver, while driving, to adjust almost every aspect of the car without getting out of his seat, and in most cases without taking his hands off the steering wheel. All instrumentation will be clearly visible to the driver under all conditions; and those instruments which should be visible to the passengers also—such as the clock—will be situated so as to be visible by all passengers. In fact, there is no reason why there should not be more than one clock in the vehicle. (The "Bragometer" in particular should be visible to the passengers: there is little point in the driver bragging only to himself.) All things that need to be touched or gripped will be covered with non-slip surfaces. No sharp edges or corners will be allowed anywhere inside or outside the car, or in the mechanical areas or trunk, so that no one can hurt themselves on such things. The keyhole for the car's key will definitely ''not'' be located near the driver's knee—as is the case in most cars today—so that in case of a panic stop or a crash there will be no risk of the driver being knee-capped by the key. It will be impossible to lock the key inside the car; it will only be possible for the car's doors to be locked with the help of the key from the outside. (Of course the car can also be locked from the inside, even without the help of the key, but only when all the doors and windows are firmly shut.) If the car is driven without properly closing any of the doors, they will automatically close themselves: the driver will not need to stop the car or get out of it to close the doors manually. It will be possible for the rear window to be opened, at least partially, so that on fine days, a pleasant flow of air from the side windows exiting the rear window can be obtained. The seats—especially in the Luxury version—will be adjustable not only in three dimensions, but also to some extent in size and depth, so that all people, large and small, can sit comfortably in them for hours on end. The pedals and steering wheel will be adjustable fore-and-aft, up-and-down and sideways. The front windshield and windows will be made of the kind of glass used in [http://en-ca.transitions.com/aboutlenses/howwork.htm Transition Lenses™], so that glare will be minimised. Headlights and tail-lights will come on automatically in the dark, and the high beams will come on automatically when there is no car ahead of La Macchina. Wipers will come on automatically when it starts to rain, and will stop automatically when the weather dries up.		Great attention will be paid to ergonomics and the human-machine interface, also—and better—known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors#Human_Factors_Engineering "Human Factors Engineering"]. It will be possible for the driver, while driving, to adjust almost every aspect of the car without getting out of his seat, and in most cases without taking his hands off the steering wheel. All instrumentation will be clearly visible to the driver under all conditions; and those instruments which should be visible to the passengers also—such as the clock—will be situated so as to be visible by all passengers. In fact, there is no reason why there should not be more than one clock in the vehicle. (The "Bragometer" in particular should be visible to the passengers: there is little point in the driver bragging only to himself.) All things that need to be touched or gripped will be covered with non-slip surfaces. No sharp edges or corners will be allowed anywhere inside or outside the car, or in the mechanical areas or trunk, so that no one can hurt themselves on such things. The keyhole for the car's key will definitely ''not'' be located near the driver's knee—as is the case in most cars today—so that in case of a panic stop or a crash there will be no risk of the driver being knee-capped by the key. It will be impossible to lock the key inside the car; it will only be possible for the car's doors to be locked with the help of the key from the outside. (Of course the car can also be locked from the inside, even without the help of the key, but only when all the doors and windows are firmly shut.) If the car is driven without properly closing any of the doors, they will automatically close themselves: the driver will not need to stop the car or get out of it to close the doors manually. It will be possible for the rear window to be opened, at least partially, so that on fine days, a pleasant flow of air from the side windows exiting the rear window can be obtained. The seats—especially in the Luxury version—will be adjustable not only in three dimensions, but also to some extent in size and depth, so that all people, large and small, can sit comfortably in them for hours on end. The pedals and steering wheel will be adjustable fore-and-aft, up-and-down and sideways. The front windshield and windows will be made of the kind of glass used in [http://en-ca.transitions.com/aboutlenses/howwork.htm Transition Lenses™], so that glare will be minimised. Headlights and tail-lights will come on automatically in the dark, and the high beams will come on automatically when there is no car ahead of La Macchina. Wipers will come on automatically when it starts to rain, and will stop automatically when the weather dries up.

Ardeshirmehta: The most powerful, most technologically advanced, fastest, quickest, "smartest", safest, most reliable, most ergonomic, most durable and most upgradable car in the world

2009-09-22T20:30:58Z

The most powerful, most technologically advanced, fastest, quickest, "smartest", safest, most reliable, most ergonomic, most durable and most upgradable car in the world

Red marquis: /* Common Features */

2009-09-20T13:19:27Z

Common Features

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 20 September 2009
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	===MYT Engine===		===MYT Engine===
	[[Image:TheMYTEngine.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|MYT Engine]]		[[Image:TheMYTEngine.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|MYT Engine]]
	The [http://www.angellabsllc.com/mytengine.html MYT Engine] (an abbreviation for "Mighty Yet Tiny engine", and intended to be pronounced simply as "Mighty Engine"), is designed by inventor Raphial Morgado of Angel Labs. It is capable of a 40-to-1 power-to-weight ratio (when power is measured in horsepower and weight in pounds). A 150 lb MYT Engine, just 14 inches (35.56 cm) long and 14 inches (35.56 cm) in diameter, and having a [[displacement]] of 848 cubic inches (almost 14 litres), can generate, with turbo charging and/or supercharging, over [http://www.angellabsllc.com/ME%20theory.html 3,000 [[horsepower]] and 4,000 lb-ft. of [[torque]]]. It has very few parts—only about 50, compared with over 3,000 parts found in normal reciprocating engines—and so is very simple to manufacture and maintain. It can achieve a [[compression ratio]] as high as 70:1, enabling it to be used in [[diesel]] mode. It is modular: by replacing the rear cover of one MYT Engine and connecting another MYT Engine's chamber assembly (which adds only two inches to its length and little additional weight), one can obtain an engine with a displacement of 1,695 cubic inches (almost 28 litres) and a [[power-to-weight ratio]] as high as 40-to-1. (In comparison, even the best present-day [[supercharged]] or [[turbocharged]] [[F1]] and [[Le Mans]] engines cannot generate much more than 2 or 3 horsepower per pound of weight). A 1,695 cubic-inch (27.8 litre) displacement MYT Engine weighing less than 90 kg—about 200 lb—would be able to generate more than 8,500 horsepower (6,338 [[kilowatts]]). Even if lower levels of efficiency were to be attained, 5,000 horsepower (3,728 kilowatts) and 6,000 lb-ft (8,136 newton-metres) of torque from such an engine are very reasonable estimates.		The [http://www.angellabsllc.com/mytengine.html MYT Engine] (an abbreviation for "Mighty Yet Tiny engine", and intended to be pronounced simply as "Mighty Engine"), is designed by inventor Raphial Morgado of Angel Labs. It is capable of a 40-to-1 power-to-weight ratio (when power is measured in horsepower and weight in pounds). A 150 lb MYT Engine, just 14 inches (35.56 cm) long and 14 inches (35.56 cm) in diameter, and having a [[displacement]] of 848 cubic inches (almost 14 litres), can generate, with turbo charging and/or supercharging, over [http://www.angellabsllc.com/ME%20theory.html 3,000 [[horsepower]] and 4,000 lb-ft. of [[torque]]]. It has very few parts—only about 50, compared with over 3,000 parts found in normal reciprocating engines—and so is very simple to manufacture and maintain. It can achieve a [[compression ratio]] as high as 70:1, enabling it to be used in [[diesel]] mode. It is modular: by replacing the rear cover of one MYT Engine and connecting another MYT Engine's chamber assembly (which adds only two inches to its length and little additional weight), one can obtain an engine with a displacement of 1,695 cubic inches (almost 28 litres) and a [[power-to-weight ratio]] as high as 40-to-1. (In comparison, even the best present-day [[supercharged]] or [[turbocharged]] [[F1]] and [[Le Mans]] engines cannot generate much more than 2 or 3 horsepower per pound of weight). A 1,695 cubic-inch (27.8 litre) displacement MYT Engine weighing less than 90 kg—about 200 lb—would be able to generate more than 8,500 horsepower (6,338 kilowatts). Even if lower levels of efficiency were to be attained, 5,000 horsepower (3,728 kilowatts) and 6,000 lb-ft (8,136 newton-metres) of torque from such an engine are very reasonable estimates.

	It is to be noted that the MYT Engine is scalable—for instance, a 35 lb MYT Engine could produce as much power as the engine of a present-day F1 race car. It is acknowledged that many customers might not want an engine providing 5,000 horsepower or 6,000 lb-ft torque, and may opt for a less powerful engine for the particular car they order. Since the all the parts of La Macchina—including the engine—are designed to simply snap into place (as described below at greater length), it would be easy to satisfy such customers.		It is to be noted that the MYT Engine is scalable—for instance, a 35 lb MYT Engine could produce as much power as the engine of a present-day F1 race car. It is acknowledged that many customers might not want an engine providing 5,000 horsepower or 6,000 lb-ft torque, and may opt for a less powerful engine for the particular car they order. Since the all the parts of La Macchina—including the engine—are designed to simply snap into place (as described below at greater length), it would be easy to satisfy such customers.

	The design of the MYT Engine enables [http://www.angellabsllc.com/ME%20theory.html the piston-dwell at top dead centre to be adjusted], and if it is set at about 12 degrees of crankshaft rotation, a near-complete combustion of the fuel is achieved. As a result, the MYT Engine's [[exhaust]] gases are much cooler than those of a normal reciprocating engine. In addition, more energy is obtained from the same amount of fuel, and there is minimal [[pollution]]. Furthermore, the MYT Engine can be used with many types of [[fuel]], including renewable [[bio-fuel]]s. For all these reasons, it is quite environmentally-friendly.		The design of the MYT Engine enables [http://www.angellabsllc.com/ME%20theory.html the piston-dwell at top dead centre to be adjusted], and if it is set at about 12 degrees of crankshaft rotation, a near-complete combustion of the fuel is achieved. As a result, the MYT Engine's exhaust gases are much cooler than those of a normal reciprocating engine. In addition, more energy is obtained from the same amount of fuel, and there is minimal pollution. Furthermore, the MYT Engine can be used with many types of [[fuel]], including renewable [[bio-fuel]]s. For all these reasons, it is quite environmentally-friendly.

	===Quasiturbine===		===Quasiturbine===
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	===Suction-Assisted Downforce===		===Suction-Assisted Downforce===
	La Macchina is designed to be equipped with one or more [[suction ~~fan]]s~~ which will suck air from under the car, like Jim Hall's [http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/91/Chaparral-2J-Chevrolet.html Chaparral 2J] or the "B" variant of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabham_BT46#Brabham_BT46B_.E2.80.93_the_.E2.80.98Fan_car.E2.80.99 Brabham BT46B F1 entry]. In Hall's car, a 45-horsepower snowmobile engine was attached to two fans which sucked air from under the car, producing prodigious amounts of [[downforce]] at all speeds. La Macchina is designed with a similar system. However, it is designed with much more powerful engine(s) for the purpose, each with an output of several hundred horsepower, which creates so much downforce that the car sticks firmly to any ceiling even when standing still and with its main engine turned off. (The Chaparral 2J produced about [http://www.photoessayist.com/canam/chaparral/chaparral.htm 900 lb of downforce]; it is therefore extremely reasonable to assume that an engine ten times as powerful will produce several thousands of pounds of donwforce.)		La Macchina is designed to be equipped with one or more suction fans which will suck air from under the car, like Jim Hall's [http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/91/Chaparral-2J-Chevrolet.html Chaparral 2J] or the "B" variant of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabham_BT46#Brabham_BT46B_.E2.80.93_the_.E2.80.98Fan_car.E2.80.99 Brabham BT46B F1 entry]. In Hall's car, a 45-horsepower snowmobile engine was attached to two fans which sucked air from under the car, producing prodigious amounts of [[downforce]] at all speeds. La Macchina is designed with a similar system. However, it is designed with much more powerful engine(s) for the purpose, each with an output of several hundred horsepower, which creates so much downforce that the car sticks firmly to any ceiling even when standing still and with its main engine turned off. (The Chaparral 2J produced about [http://www.photoessayist.com/canam/chaparral/chaparral.htm 900 lb of downforce]; it is therefore extremely reasonable to assume that an engine ten times as powerful will produce several thousands of pounds of donwforce.)

	The suction fan(s) are located in the space under the [[bonnet]] which is freed up by having a small MYT Engine or Quasiturbine power the car, and/or the space occupied by the [[spare tire]] in other cars. A mesh or grill under the car prevents large road debris being sucked in along with the air. Whatever other solid material does get sucked in is removed by a [http://www.english.dysoncanada.ca/technology/rootTech.asp centrifuge system] similar to the constant-suction Dyson vacuum designed by James Dyson. The conical centrifuge creates a centrifugal force on the debris which causes it to gradually get pushed to the widest part of the cone, from which it falls into a hopper. The hopper can be periodically and automatically emptied when downforce is not needed. Any water that gets sucked up from wet pavement is flash-vaporised and gets expelled in the form of water vapour, along with the sucked-in air. The air and water vapour are primarily expelled via the car's exhaust system, which is made more ample for the purpose. However, it is envisaged that vents in front of the [[windshield]] and/or behind the rear window might also be provided for venting the air, providing an increase in the downforce.		The suction fan(s) are located in the space under the [[bonnet]] which is freed up by having a small MYT Engine or Quasiturbine power the car, and/or the space occupied by the [[spare tire]] in other cars. A mesh or grill under the car prevents large road debris being sucked in along with the air. Whatever other solid material does get sucked in is removed by a [http://www.english.dysoncanada.ca/technology/rootTech.asp centrifuge system] similar to the constant-suction Dyson vacuum designed by James Dyson. The conical centrifuge creates a centrifugal force on the debris which causes it to gradually get pushed to the widest part of the cone, from which it falls into a hopper. The hopper can be periodically and automatically emptied when downforce is not needed. Any water that gets sucked up from wet pavement is flash-vaporised and gets expelled in the form of water vapour, along with the sucked-in air. The air and water vapour are primarily expelled via the car's exhaust system, which is made more ample for the purpose. However, it is envisaged that vents in front of the [[windshield]] and/or behind the rear window might also be provided for venting the air, providing an increase in the downforce.

Ardeshirmehta at 00:14, 20 September 2009

2009-09-20T00:14:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:14, 20 September 2009
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	(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)		(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)

	In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La Macchina will be able to lap the ''[[Top Gear]]'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track, ~~which was~~ recorded by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.		In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La Macchina will be able to lap the ''[[Top Gear]]'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track, recorded by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.

	===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===		===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===

Ardeshirmehta at 00:13, 20 September 2009

2009-09-20T00:13:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:13, 20 September 2009
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	(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)		(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)

	In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La Macchina will be able to lap the ''[[Top Gear]]'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.		In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La Macchina will be able to lap the ''[[Top Gear]]'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track, which was recorded by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.

	===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===		===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===

Ardeshirmehta at 16:14, 19 September 2009

2009-09-19T16:14:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:14, 19 September 2009
Line 237:		Line 237:
	(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)		(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)

	In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La Macchina will be able to lap the ''Top Gear'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about ~~6 g~~. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.		In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La Macchina will be able to lap the ''[[Top Gear]]'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.

	===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===		===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===

Ardeshirmehta at 16:09, 19 September 2009

2009-09-19T16:09:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:09, 19 September 2009
Line 237:		Line 237:
	(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)		(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)

	In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La ~~macchina~~ will be able to lap the ''Top Gear'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6 g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.		In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La Macchina will be able to lap the ''Top Gear'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6 g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.

	===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===		===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===

Ardeshirmehta at 16:07, 19 September 2009

2009-09-19T16:07:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 19 September 2009
Line 236:		Line 236:

	(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)		(Of course if there is no one in the car—and thus no g-forces to be withstood by a living person—the goal of a 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife lap can easily be achieved, using remotely-controlled driving plus even more powerful rocket-assisted cornering; however, the designers feel this would also be too much like "cheating".)

			In addition, it is also felt by the designers that such an edition of La macchina will be able to lap the ''Top Gear'' track in less than 30 seconds, which is faster than the fastest lap of this track by a Sea Harrier jet, which took 31.2 seconds, subjecting the pilot to a g-force of about 6 g. Since La Macchina can take 10g or more, it is felt that the Sea Harrier's record can be broken by it.

	===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===		===La Macchina Lampo for "Track Days" with Sideforce-Generating Aero Devices===

Ardeshirmehta at 15:53, 19 September 2009

2009-09-19T15:53:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:53, 19 September 2009
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	A special, highly-streamlined edition of La Macchina Lampo is designed to attempt the setting of a [http://wikicars.org/en/Nordschleife_Lap_Times 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife record]. To accomplish this lap time, an average speed of about 460 km/hr—i.e., 286 mph—will be necessary (the Nürburgring Nordschleife being about 23 km—or 14 miles—in length). This is a little more than twice the average speed for the present Nordschleife lap record, set by a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_956 Porsche 956 in 1983 with a lap time of 6 minutes 11.13 seconds], and is also faster than the maximum speed of the [[Bugatti Veyron]], the fastest production car as of date (mid-2009). To achieve such a high average speed, the cornering speeds will have to be very high. As a result, the lateral g-forces withstood by the car and driver will probably have to be raised somewhat above the 10g available due to the operation of the car's suction fan. (It is to be noted that for any given radius of turn, centrifugal g-forces are proportional to the square of the cornering speed: twice the cornering speed generates four times the centrifugal g-force.) Due to the Lampo's reclining seat and gimballed cockpit, the pilot may be able to withstand 12g or more, at least for short times. ([http://www.pplmania.com/ppltrainer/health_gloc.htm A seat reclined to about 80 degrees allows an aeroplane pilot to easily sustain 15g], as reported by Dr. Dougal Watson, sourcing the Aerospace Medicine web site, aeromedical.org—and it is to be noted that this is ''sustained'' g-force.)		A special, highly-streamlined edition of La Macchina Lampo is designed to attempt the setting of a [http://wikicars.org/en/Nordschleife_Lap_Times 3-minute Nürburgring Nordschleife record]. To accomplish this lap time, an average speed of about 460 km/hr—i.e., 286 mph—will be necessary (the Nürburgring Nordschleife being about 23 km—or 14 miles—in length). This is a little more than twice the average speed for the present Nordschleife lap record, set by a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_956 Porsche 956 in 1983 with a lap time of 6 minutes 11.13 seconds], and is also faster than the maximum speed of the [[Bugatti Veyron]], the fastest production car as of date (mid-2009). To achieve such a high average speed, the cornering speeds will have to be very high. As a result, the lateral g-forces withstood by the car and driver will probably have to be raised somewhat above the 10g available due to the operation of the car's suction fan. (It is to be noted that for any given radius of turn, centrifugal g-forces are proportional to the square of the cornering speed: twice the cornering speed generates four times the centrifugal g-force.) Due to the Lampo's reclining seat and gimballed cockpit, the pilot may be able to withstand 12g or more, at least for short times. ([http://www.pplmania.com/ppltrainer/health_gloc.htm A seat reclined to about 80 degrees allows an aeroplane pilot to easily sustain 15g], as reported by Dr. Dougal Watson, sourcing the Aerospace Medicine web site, aeromedical.org—and it is to be noted that this is ''sustained'' g-force.)

	To this end, rocket-assisted cornering is designed to be fitted to this special Macchina Lampo. Liquid-fuel rockets with controllable thrust fitted to the sides of the car are designed to be activated automatically by the car's drive-by-wire supercomputer, when needed, to enable cornering at even greater speeds than would be possible with a mere 10g lateral grip. (Rockets are used because only they can produce prodigious amounts of thrust for very little additional weight.) The driver will need to wear a g-suit to enable him—or perhaps her—to withstand the high g-forces of cornering. Since cornering times would be relatively brief, while on the straighter sections of the course the g-forces on the driver will be negligible, it is expected that a sufficiently fit and well-trained driver will be able to drive the lap without blacking out. Even if he or she does momentarily black out at some of the more extreme corner(s)—such as the famed ''~~Karrousel~~''—the car's drive-by-wire supercomputer, which have a GPS-generated map of the Nordschleife embedded in its memory, will be programmed to enable the car to negotiate such corners successfully.		To this end, rocket-assisted cornering is designed to be fitted to this special Macchina Lampo. Liquid-fuel rockets with controllable thrust fitted to the sides of the car are designed to be activated automatically by the car's drive-by-wire supercomputer, when needed, to enable cornering at even greater speeds than would be possible with a mere 10g lateral grip. (Rockets are used because only they can produce prodigious amounts of thrust for very little additional weight.) The driver will need to wear a g-suit to enable him—or perhaps her—to withstand the high g-forces of cornering. Since cornering times would be relatively brief, while on the straighter sections of the course the g-forces on the driver will be negligible, it is expected that a sufficiently fit and well-trained driver will be able to drive the lap without blacking out. Even if he or she does momentarily black out at some of the more extreme corner(s)—such as the famed ''Karoussell''—the car's drive-by-wire supercomputer, which have a GPS-generated map of the Nordschleife embedded in its memory, will be programmed to enable the car to negotiate such corners successfully.

	Not only will the speed on the corners need to be very high, but the speed on the straighter sections will also have to be very high—a maximum speed considerably higher than the 500 km/h projected for the standard version of La Macchina. To this end, it will have a body with extreme streamlining, similar to or even better than that used in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W125_Rekordwagen 432.7 km/h (268 mph) Mercedes Benz W125 Rekordwagen], which achieved this astounding maximum speed as long ago as 1938, driven by Rudolf Caracciola on a straight stretch of the Frankfurt-Darmstadt Autobahn. It is to be appreciated that with any given shape of car, air resistance increases, roughly, with the cube of the speed, and thus beyond 200 mph or thereabouts, a great deal of additional engine power is needed for every mile-per-hour increase in speed. Consequently, streamlining will yield better dividends, as far as increasing top speed goes, than additional horsepower. All the same, the most powerful engine that can reasonably be fitted into the car will be installed.		Not only will the speed on the corners need to be very high, but the speed on the straighter sections will also have to be very high—a maximum speed considerably higher than the 500 km/h projected for the standard version of La Macchina. To this end, it will have a body with extreme streamlining, similar to or even better than that used in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W125_Rekordwagen 432.7 km/h (268 mph) Mercedes Benz W125 Rekordwagen], which achieved this astounding maximum speed as long ago as 1938, driven by Rudolf Caracciola on a straight stretch of the Frankfurt-Darmstadt Autobahn. It is to be appreciated that with any given shape of car, air resistance increases, roughly, with the cube of the speed, and thus beyond 200 mph or thereabouts, a great deal of additional engine power is needed for every mile-per-hour increase in speed. Consequently, streamlining will yield better dividends, as far as increasing top speed goes, than additional horsepower. All the same, the most powerful engine that can reasonably be fitted into the car will be installed.

Ardeshirmehta at 15:49, 19 September 2009

2009-09-19T15:49:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:49, 19 September 2009
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	'''La Macchina''' (pronounced ''La Mahk-ki-nah'', meaning "The Car" or "The Machine" in Italian; the plural of La Macchina is '''Le Macchine''', pronounced ''Ley Mahk-ki-ney'') is an automobile conceived by father-and-son team [http://homepage.mac.com/ardeshir/AllMyFiles.html Ardeshir and Cyrus Mehta.] (The Italian language is used in the naming of this car in homage to the great Italian car-makers and designers of the past, including [[Ettore Bugatti]] who, though he made his cars in France, was Italian by birth.)		'''La Macchina''' (pronounced ''La Mahk-ki-nah'', meaning "The Car" or "The Machine" in Italian; the plural of La Macchina is '''Le Macchine''', pronounced ''Ley Mahk-ki-ney'') is an automobile conceived by father-and-son team [http://homepage.mac.com/ardeshir/AllMyFiles.html Ardeshir and Cyrus Mehta.] (The Italian language is used in the naming of this car in homage to the great Italian car-makers and designers of the past, including [[Ettore Bugatti]] who, though he made his cars in France, was Italian by birth.)

	La Macchina is intended to be the most powerful, most technologically advanced, fastest, quickest, "smartest", safest, most reliable, most ergonomic, most durable and most upgradable car in the world. Some benchmark goals for La Macchina are for it to have a top speed of 500 km/h (311 mph), a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 0.33 seconds, and a quarter-mile elapsed time of 3 seconds. One special ~~version~~ of La Macchina is also intended to be able to lap the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times Nürburgring Nordschleife] in 3 minutes. (In comparison, the [[Bugatti Veyron]] has a top speed of 407 km/h or 255 mph; a 0-100 km/h—or 0-62 mph—time of 2.5 seconds, and a quarter-mile elapsed time of 10.2 seconds. It has not yet been tested on the Nürburgring.)		La Macchina is intended to be the most powerful, most technologically advanced, fastest, quickest, "smartest", safest, most reliable, most ergonomic, most durable and most upgradable car in the world. Some benchmark goals for La Macchina are for it to have a top speed of 500 km/h (311 mph), a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 0.33 seconds, and a quarter-mile elapsed time of 3 seconds. One special edition of La Macchina is also intended to be able to lap the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times Nürburgring Nordschleife] in 3 minutes. (In comparison, the [[Bugatti Veyron]] has a top speed of 407 km/h or 255 mph; a 0-100 km/h—or 0-62 mph—time of 2.5 seconds, and a quarter-mile elapsed time of 10.2 seconds. It has not yet been tested on the Nürburgring.)

	To achieve the projected goals for La Macchina, technologies from around the world have been incorporated into it. While the majority of these technologies are currently available, they have never before been combined in a single vehicle. For example, its [[engine]] will be able to output 5,000 horsepower while weighing less than 90 kg (about 200 lb). To give another example, its wheels are designed to be able to generate 10g of [[grip]], thanks to the [[downforce]] created by a suction fan similar to—but much more powerful than—the one used by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaparral_Cars Jim Hall's 1970 Chaparral 2J] and in 1978 by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabham_BT46#Brabham_BT46B_.E2.80.93_the_.E2.80.98Fan_car.E2.80.99 "B" variant of the Brabham BT46B F1 entry], known also as the "fan car".		To achieve the projected goals for La Macchina, technologies from around the world have been incorporated into it. While the majority of these technologies are currently available, they have never before been combined in a single vehicle. For example, its [[engine]] will be able to output 5,000 horsepower while weighing less than 90 kg (about 200 lb). To give another example, its wheels are designed to be able to generate 10g of [[grip]], thanks to the [[downforce]] created by a suction fan similar to—but much more powerful than—the one used by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaparral_Cars Jim Hall's 1970 Chaparral 2J] and in 1978 by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabham_BT46#Brabham_BT46B_.E2.80.93_the_.E2.80.98Fan_car.E2.80.99 "B" variant of the Brabham BT46B F1 entry], known also as the "fan car".