David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 02:49 PM |
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Aeon Epona pictures, from the open day (Warning! loads of pictures!)
First, the model:
 
Then the new chassis:
Chassis + all the usual suspects! (from the left - Boss of Aeon, bloke from Complete Kit Car, Gaz & Paul (907). )
Mr 907 measuring up for a new manifold...
Then the 2 together:
Then the fully-functional R/C model - didn't half go fast!
Note: it left those black tyre marks behind it...
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BenB
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 02:57 PM |
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Ooooh nice side protection!! Not!!!
Don't fancy having a T-bone in that  (well not unless the GRP bodywork is way thick!!)
Apart from that looks nice 
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 03:08 PM |
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I can't comment on the design (a) because I'm not an engineer, and (b) I don't know how the body and doors will be constructed.
However - have you seen how much side protection you get in a similar-sized production car, like an MGB? Or even something modern like an MX-5? The
Mazda will probably have door bars, but its 'chassis' is barely higher than the floor pan at the doors.
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BenB
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 03:15 PM |
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http://www.euroncap.com/tests/mazda_mx_5_2002/120.aspx
Actually does quite well on side protection (you can watch the video and everything!!!).
Wouldn't like to see the above car doing likewise.... Unless they do some serious work in making the doors take some punishment...
Oh well. It's no worse than most Cobra replicas, they're shaped like dog's bone. Then again, that person died a few years back from
being T-boned whilst driving a Cobra due to that exact problem.....
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 03:20 PM |
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It's my main worry with a standard Locost chassis - I don't think that 1 extra bit of 25mm square tube at elbow height will make much
difference... a hefty door might be an improvement! 
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MikeR
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 03:23 PM |
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Also look at a TVR or an old Espirt - they where proper back bone chassis and had (from what i saw - could be completely wrong) sod all to protect you
in an accident.
Ok, i admit they are now 'old' cars but this is a kit and probably aiming at similarish market / price segment.
My worry would be chassis strength in twist. As the chassis isn't finished (no bulk heads etc) its not worth discussing. I suspect the trans
tunnel will become a stressed member along with welding in panels in the little sides to add more to it ........ hmmm, didn't i say i
wouldn't discuss it ? oh well, sorry.
Actually, i've got a second "worry", the top front wishbone mounts look a little unsupported to me - i've got no
qualifications as an engineer so ignore me. In fact use it as a marketing exercise, if i think that - make sure you mention to anyone looking at the
front how the design was conceived and tested and it is sufficient.
Ok, thought of something else - where does the fuel tank go? Above the diff? I'm curious as i was sort of expecting that to be a small boot
space.
I feel like i'm being really negative. I'm sorry. I think it looks absolutely gorgeous and hope its really successful. Are there any plans
for optional roll over protection as i'm sure people will want to track day the car?
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Confused but excited.
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 03:36 PM |
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I love the clean lines, inside and out.
Looks really well mate.
Nice one.
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
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Dangle_kt
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 03:39 PM |
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forget the chassis for a minuite.
That model is  luuurverly.
Good work!
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cloudy
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 04:05 PM |
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Looking great
Only two observations, the top front wishbone/shock mounts need strengthening by the looks of it - Perhaps a diagonal brace downwards? I'm not
sure if this is just a mock up for the body...
The other one is it looks like you are using bushes on the bottom front wishbones but don't have them parallel to the chassis, this will prevent
free movement - I can't see very well from the pic so if they are rose joints there's no problem
James
[Edited on 30/12/08 by cloudy]
www.warnercars.com
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 04:08 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Ok, thought of something else - where does the fuel tank go? Above the diff? I'm curious as i was sort of expecting that to be a small boot
space.
I feel like i'm being really negative. I'm sorry. I think it looks absolutely gorgeous and hope its really successful. Are there any plans
for optional roll over protection as i'm sure people will want to track day the car?
I shouldn't speak for Gaz - I'm sure he'll add some comments when he gets back from Aeon - but he did say today that there'll
be room for a full set of golf clubs in the boot. If you look at the model you can see that it has a much higher back than a Locost, so
there'll be a lot of room spare.
I think that Gaz wants to take his prototype on the track, so I'm sure he'll be considering a bar...
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grazzledazzle
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 04:09 PM |
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Is the chassis finished? It looks very delicate in my opinion.
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mark chandler
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 05:23 PM |
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I like it.
Work in progress but it does look good.
I guess the chassis is more a demonstration on how they are thinking.
Regards Mark
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Jonte
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 06:04 PM |
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I must say that it looks very nice on the outside, and I would like one.
But to my eyes the chassi needs more strength. It looks very weak a the front and the rear.
Specially the upper wishbones mount on the front and the length of the lower wb at the back.
By the look of the pics i´m concerned that the chassi will twist very much if you put anything bigger than a hayabusa in it.
What is the size of the steel tubes used for the chassi?
Click it
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 06:52 PM |
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Again, I am neither qualified nor willing to comment on the engineering...
However, I will say that what you are looking at is, near-enough, a standard +4 Locost chassis. It uses the same size tubing in almost all the same
places. In some areas it is significantly stronger. Some angles have been changed to fit under the intended bodywork, that's all.
Apart from the sides, that is! 
[Edited on 30/12/08 by David Jenkins]
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DIY Si
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 07:11 PM |
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I hope there's plan to allow a full cage, as I know of at least 3 or 4 people that have asked about it so far. I do have to agree with the
others though, I'm not convinced about the front suspension mountings. Although having a full cage would require some sort of rear frame to be
added, as there's no where to put any rear diagonals! I do know that Aeon want to test the chassis before long, as Gaz's car is meant to
be a prototype.
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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hampshe
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 07:26 PM |
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From an engineering point of view, no worse than a lot of so called professionally designed kits, I won't name them though.
Ride might be a bit stiff too!
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907
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| posted on 30/12/08 at 09:06 PM |
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Hi All
The side bars will need to be raised, or doubled up, if only to give me enough height
to run a can down the inside of the sill.
Cheers
Paul G
[Edited on 30/12/08 by 907]
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Gaz 1977
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 09:48 AM |
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hi chaps, thanks For the pics David.
just a bit of info on the chassis, the one in the photos is the development one, the chassis is going to be panneled up which adds a lot of strength.
the chassis is basicly a backbone chassis like the cobras, lotus elans etc
there are plans for bars to be put in the doors. and the sides are to be revised now we know where the body will fit. designing the car is a bit
chicken and egg. you cant build a chassis and then body it, also it cant be done the other way around. its a case of development in stages.
roll bars/cadge are going to be looked at once the body is full size, (its a bit tricky sort out before)
the front wishbones and the whole front end are basicly off the gt3 which has been well and truely tested on the road, on track, and by MIRA. so i am
sure it is up to the job.
the fuel tank will be in the same place as any 7 with the large boot space above it.
I am not sure that i will bother with a cage or even a roll bar on my personal car. I have been driving a MX5 for the past year or so and its never
been an issue. also the sill is alot lower then that of the epona with no bars in the doors.
I hope this answers some of all your questions.. its work in progress but getting there.
many thanks
Gaz
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escort_innit
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 10:07 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Ooooh nice side protection!! Not!!!
Don't fancy having a T-bone in that (well not unless the GRP bodywork is way thick!!)
I've been keeping an eye on the Epona threads and I now feel the need to butt in - looking at the car you have as your avatar which I take that
you drive around in, how much side protection do you have in that?!
The Epona is going to have full size doors and I feel sure that side impact will be a consideration when the structure of these is being developped.
I'm sure if you saw a production car with no body work, scuttle, interior panels etc it would look very delicate! We are in the habit of
driving round at high speeds in little tin cans, so there will always be risks.
And yes someone died in a Cobra kit - I'm sure more than one person has died in a kit car - they aren't as safe as a production car -
none of them are!
Just me tuppence worth. Rant over.
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Liam
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 02:38 PM |
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Beautiful body design! I'd echo the sentiments of others regarding the top front wishbone/shock mounts though - scary design. Even if they
dont fatigue and snap off in time, they will definately flex and compromise handling (unless those two transverse 1" tubes are actually solid
bars ). Very easily considerably improved by diagonal braces from the bone/shock mounts down to the lower chassis rails. Making the sills into
boxes would help torsional rigidity too.
Liam
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gottabedone
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| posted on 3/1/09 at 10:38 AM |
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If the front shock mounts are tried and tested then leave them - don't change them because they venture away from the norm.
For a number of years now locosters have triangulated their triangulation - it's been the thing to do but where do you stop adding reasonable
strength/rigidity and just add weight.
I understand Gaz's comment about the MX5 not having a roll bar but you will only need it once.
Personally, I think it would be good to see an option where people can fit a least a bar or preferrably a full cage (all inside that wicked body shape
of course) - surely this will be required if the car was competed.
my quids worth anyway
Still a wicked body Gaz - nice to see that the project is moving along
regards to you all
Steve
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