Aero thoughts please

[markweatherill]

I wondered what the experts would think this car might be like aerodynamically.
It's a Toyota Will Vi and yes it is an odd shape! However Renault copied the rear end in the Megane, so perhaps it's got something going for it?

[tasdrouille]

It's pretty much the same as a hatch. When the flow leaves the roof, given the angle between the back edge of the roof and extremity of the bumper, anything aft is just in the wake.

[NeilBlanchard]

The front looks okay -- the same for the sides. The rear is not so great. And underneath?

[winkosmosis]

Why didn't they just make that vehicle a hatchback instead of wasting all that space?

[mjboks]

This design is great for an ecomodder to make kamm back or boat tail. I agree, it should be a hatchback and make that space useful and a bit more aerodynamic.

[MetroMPG]

Interesting looking car! First I've seen one.

I have to wonder about the arc of the trunk bodywork. It might actually make it worse than a proper hatchback that has a similar roof height end.

It'd be interesting to know what the flow is doing when it comes off the sides of that arc toward the rear low pressure.

[ChazInMT]

I'm with Tasdrouille, the trunk lid, (or more aptly "Boot Lid") is aerodynamically out of the picture, the clean separation of air at the back of the roof puts this out of any significant air currents. This roof design essentially has a KammBack designed in.

I think a KammBack is appropriate to add when a car design tries to blend the roof to the rear windscreen area with a small to medium sized radius. This causes the air to separate over a large area and creates turbulence.

Like Metro, I find the body work aft of the rear tires interesting. I tend to think that the design wants the air to try and sweep around the back as much as possible to help reduce the horizontal vortex formation in the rear of the vehicle....possibly?

[tasdrouille]

Seeing how the back of this thing is shaped it must have interesting c-pillar and rear quarter vortices.

[Bicycle Bob]

When Lincoln used that rear window angle, I think they claimed reduced cleaning time. However, it is mostly a gimmick to gain attention. What I see is mostly styling, within the modern, aero-influenced fashions in form. The corrugated panels, however, allow the use of thinner sheet metal.

[aerohead]

Looks like the stylists won out over the wind tunnel guys.
The good news is that if they never let the thing out of Japan,no one will be hurt,as congestion will never allow the car to get above 45-mph.
If they export it to the US,then they should be dumped over-board before they ever have a chance to see the street.
A Boston Cd Party.