This presentation, developed for the Johns Hopkins University Developing Data Products course, provides an interactive multidimensional analysis of the mtcars dataset using Plotly API. This project examines the complex relationships between vehicle weight (wt), horsepower (hp), and fuel efficiency (mpg). By deploying high-dimensional 2D and 3D interactive visualizations, the analysis demonstrates how modern web-based data products facilitate deeper exploration of engine performance dynamics through real-time user engagement and data tooltips. The primary objectives of this project include:

• Generating a professional HTML presentation via R Markdown.
• Implementing the Plotly API to create high-dimensional 2D and 3D visualizations.
• Hosting the final product on a cloud-based platform such as RPubs, GitHub or NeoCities.

• Both the 2D and 3D models utilize custom Plotly hover functionality, allowing users to instantly view specific car models, transmission types, and precise performance metrics by hovering over data points.

• This project demonstrates the integration of R Markdown and Plotly to create a reproducible, cloud-hosted, and URL-accessible interactive data product.

• The 2D Analysis (Power vs. Efficiency) highlights three clear zones based on cylinder count:

  • 4-Cylinder: High-efficiency vehicles with high MPG.
  • 6-Cylinder: A transitional mid-range cluster.
  • 8-Cylinder: High-power vehicles with significant fuel consumption.

• This analysis demonstrates the power of interactive data products in revealing complex automotive trends.
• The study establishes that engine architecture is the primary driver of efficiency, while the 3D model confirms a significant “performance penalty” where increases in mass and horsepower result in non-linear MPG decay.
• Ultimately, this project highlights how R Markdown and Plotly transform raw data into engaging, URL-accessible professional resources.