Concept Car Of The Day: 1982 General Motors TPC - AllCarIndex
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In Warren, Michigan, an experimental two-passenger car that achieved an impressive 95 mpg on the Environmental Protection Agency’s highway cycle was developed by the General Motors Advanced Product and Manufacturing Engineering Staff, as reported by GM vice president Robert J. Eaton.
Named the Two Passenger Commuter (TPC), this compact yet spacious car was designed to push the boundaries of fuel economy on a global scale. To ensure its competitiveness worldwide, the TPC was built without certain U.S.-specific government emission and safety standards.
Despite being an experimental vehicle, the TPC was still very practical and served as a valuable learning experience for future production models. It achieved 68 mpg and 95 mpg on the EPA city and highway driving cycles, respectively, while meeting emission requirements.
The remarkable fuel efficiency of the TPC was achieved through the use of lighter materials, low aerodynamic drag force, high powertrain efficiency, and low rolling resistant chassis elements. With a 4-gallon fuel tank, the TPC had a driving range of 270 miles in typical commuter operation and 380 miles in normal highway driving.
Weighing just 1,070 lbs and boasting an 80.2” wheelbase, the TPC was primarily constructed of lightweight steel with aluminum front end, doors, and rear fenders. Despite its compact size, the car offered impressive interior spaciousness with shoulder room, headroom, and legroom.
Extensive testing in the GM Aerodynamics Laboratory contributed to the TPC's aerodynamic design, which featured a very low drag coefficient. Various factors like flush glass, rear view mirrors mounted inside the cabin, and a tapered front hood all contributed to the car's aerodynamic efficiency.
In terms of performance, the TPC was equipped with a unique .8-liter three-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. These, combined with other innovative features like zero-drag drum brakes and low rolling resistance tires, contributed to the car's impressive acceleration capabilities.
Overall, the TPC served as a groundbreaking experiment in fuel-efficient design and engineering, showcasing the potential for future production models to prioritize both practicality and sustainability.
