Chapter 213 Design a Sports Car
After adding a lot of new features to 320, Fang wanted to start drawing new pictures and add these features one by one.
Suddenly I remembered something.
At that time, BMW's first series, in addition to 115i and 118i, they also had 120i!
I only drew a 115, but judging from the finished product, it's still pretty good.
But is it possible to stuff that new 2.0 naturally aspirated engine into the nose of this 115?
What about turning it into a 120?
I forgot the year that the Bavarian Machine Works did this.
They added a 1600 model on top of the 1800 and 2000 models that were selling very well.
It seems that the sales were quite good afterwards.
Moreover, this also pioneered the development of the M brand.
Fang Xiang did it as soon as he thought of it. He quickly finished the optimized drawing and sent it to Cao Tianwei, asking him to place an order.
Then start studying the design of 120.
I have to say that the later BMW 1 Series hatchback models have such a long front end design, which makes sense.
The reason is because the 2.0 engine has to be put down.
Although both the 2.0 engine and the 1.5 engine are four-cylinder, there is a huge difference in size between them.
Moreover, the surging power brought by the 2.0 engine also requires a more powerful configuration to match.
Like support bars, anti-roll bars, better brakes, better cooling, better air intake.
And so on and so forth, all require a lot of space.
When Fang Xiang first designed the 115, he did not strictly follow the 50:50 center of gravity ratio.
Instead, we follow the optimal solution, so the center of gravity ratio is approximately 56:44.
So if you want to design 120, you must lengthen the front of the car like the original car.
At the same time, the body and rear of the car also need to be modified to a certain extent.
Anyway, I had nothing to do and inspiration struck me.
Fang Xiang also took advantage of the time when the optimized 320 was taking orders and drew a new 120.
Basically, the body appearance is similar to the later hatchback 120.
It's just not as streamlined.
Looking at the weird appearance and proportions, Fang Xiang shook his head. No wonder many people thought this car was ugly at first.
From his point of view, the new 120 is ugly but has a unique personality.
However, this car itself cannot be mass-produced.
It is just to satisfy the very small number of customers who have requirements for performance, handling and acceleration.
Thinking of this, if that’s the case, then why can’t this 120 be considered a limited edition?
Fang Xiang thought that maybe it was worth a try.
Even if it is made using the hand-hammering method used by Rolls, the overall output will not be that high.
What if it becomes a sought-after collector’s item in the future?
Since there is no plan for mass production anyway, why not just add some sports car elements into it.
Thinking of this, Fang wanted to simply overturn this entire exterior design.
Refer to the design of the first 63 released by Porsche in 911.
The previous 115 with four doors and five seats was changed to a two-door and two-seat model.
The body of the car has also been lowered, making it appear lower, while also adding a lot of streamlined treatments.
The headlights also use the same frog lamp shape.
However, unlike the upright headlights of the 911, Fang Xiang designed the headlights to be inclined.
Blended with the sleek front cover.
Then the suspension, brakes and other accessories were also adjusted accordingly to make the car more controllable.
At the same time, the optimized interior and functions of the 320 were also moved into this 120.
The wooden interior and the cockpit with a lot of details make it more humane and luxurious.
The tires were also changed from the small 12-inch to the same 320-inch as the 15, but with a slightly lower aspect ratio.
Anyway, it is a luxury sports car for export, so there is no need to worry about driving on bad roads, right?
Of course, the corresponding chassis accessories should be perforated where necessary to lighten the weight, and strengthened where necessary.
Soon, this shabby 120 in a 911 coat was drawn according to Fang Xiang's bad taste.
"This car?"
Cao Tianwei looked at the completed exterior picture and fell into deep thought.
"Do you know any sports cars?"
Fang Xiang lit a cigarette and looked at Cao Tianwei with a smile.
"I know a little bit, but sports cars don't seem to have this shape?"
Cao Tianwei had naturally seen pictures of sports cars.
But nowadays, most sports cars are still of the roller type.
This was the first time he had seen a 911 that looked like a big frog.
"It seems that you haven't learned enough. You should have heard of the brand of Broken Shoes, right?"
Fang Xiang picked up the teacup, took a sip of cold brewed tea, and reminded him.
"loose woman?"
Cao Tianwei frowned. He had never paid much attention to this small brand.
There is no way around it. The domestic situation has forced scientific researchers to focus either on leading products or on strong domestic brands.
I really don't have the time to learn about this kind of niche brand products with low production and high prices.
“It’s okay if you don’t understand it. Anyway, this one is an evolved version of the 115.
Never mind. Calling it the evolved version isn't quite right.
It can be viewed as a completely new performance car.”
Fang Xiang didn't care. The slut wasn't very well-known nowadays, so it was normal that Cao Tianwei didn't pay attention to her.
"We built this... It's not appropriate, right?"
Cao Tianwei pondered for a moment and put aside the issue of brand performance.
This kind of car is obviously a luxury product in capitalist society.
Products that have nothing to do with ordinary people and the working people.
This was made in China in the 60s. Was it the wrong medicine?
“You have a point...but we are using it for export.
You can build two prototypes first and then have a look.
If the customer is not satisfied, does not like it, or has no demand.
Then we can keep it in the factory and use it ourselves."
Fang Xiang also frowned. Indeed, what Cao Tianwei said made sense.
This was the 60s, not the 21st century, and I was just carried away by the moment.
But since it's already been drawn, let's build two prototypes and take a look at them first.
“Okay, but you know what, this car is really pretty.
I'm actually looking forward to what the real car will look like."
Cao Tianwei scratched his head. At least in terms of appearance, he was conquered.
“Okay, the order for the improved 320 has just been placed.
Didn’t you say before that you wanted to try it out?
Why not now?"
Cao Tianwei's words reminded Fang Xiang that he had been staying in the office drawing pictures recently and had forgotten about driving.
"Go, go now."
Fang Xiang stood up immediately and put out the unfinished cigarette butt into the ashtray.
After going downstairs, we arrived at the road test site.
The five cars were still running on the field.
Still following Cao Tianwei's request, a car is dismantled every five days to observe the wear and tear of spare parts in various parts of the vehicle.
After leaving records and data, reassemble and continue running.
As Cao Tianwei waved his hand, a 320 bus stopped in front of Fang Xiang.
"Let me give it a try, do you want to join me?"
Fang Xiang sat in the driver's seat and asked Cao Tianwei who was still standing there.
“Let’s go, together.
Although I have driven and sat in it many times. "
Cao Tianwei smiled. There was no rush anyway, so he opened the car door and got in.
Soon, the car started running on the field under Fang Xiang's control.
