Rear Wheel Spats on new GM trucks

[LeanBurn]

Have you seen these? They are actually quite large. I notice that the front air dam on these trucks is getting bigger each year as well.

[Cobb]

The US has different vehicles than the rest of North America and the rest of the world. Ive notice the newer trucks have projectors for head lamps, but they are still as big and blunt front end as ever before.

[Frank Lee]

Bigger and blunter than ever before!

I just had this conversation with somebody- I remember back in the '70s when the automakers were petitioning the gummint to be able to design and use lighting other than the classic sealed beam units; the argument was they needed flexibility to make low aero front ends to meet the looming mpg standards.

Now look what we have. Almost everybody drives around in a barn on wheels, a ginormous square one at that. Sealed beams were glass and thus much more durable and resistant to pitting and yellowing than plastic. It cost $5 to replace the whole dang thing vs double that for just a puny bulb replacement into your crappy yellowed housing. Stupid people bring this on themselves.

[LeanBurn]

Originally Posted by Cobb

The US has different vehicles than the rest of North America and the rest of the world. Ive notice the newer trucks have projectors for head lamps, but they are still as big and blunt front end as ever before.

North America = Canada and the USA....and we share 99%+ vehicles...our trucks are identical.

Here are some pics and a vid showing the rear tire spats and lower front airdam, even a comparo against the outgoing model: New 2014 GMC Sierra Photos and Details - AutoTribute

As big and unattractive as they might be, they are capable of pretty decent numbers right off the lot even with the 5.3L v8. I have driven a few and I wish there was a way to keep it in v4 mode with a switch or something.

[spacemanspif]

Noticed the spats and dam on a friend's new truck and thought the same think about their size. His is a 2wd work truck model and it's lower stance; the air dam rides quite close to the ground.

[Cd]

I looked at the pictures and I'm not seeing the wheel spats.
Am I the only one ?

[spacemanspif]

Not the greatest pic, but black spats in front of black tires makes it hard to see...

[Fat Charlie]

Here's a spat on a 2015 Dodge. They look like they're for rock chip protection more than aero.

[LeanBurn]

So rock protection, for when they are in reverse? I have a older used truck and rock damage on that panel is just not a issue. Rocks eject way before that position when going forward.

[aerohead]

I see it.
At 100 km/hr road speed the tire face is descending vertically at 100 km/hr.
The spat diverts the oncoming flow down and away from this 'waterfall' stream intersection,delaying 'contact' until lower on the tire face where it is retreating from the flow.
That would HAVE to reduce turbulence.