View Single Post
Old 05-08-2009, 11:09 AM   #54 (permalink)
tripp323
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
using wings for lift?

This is a totally newbie question from someone with no engineering knowledge - but curious about automobile aerodynamics.

Most of this great thread are eco-mods to 1) reduce drag, and 2) sometimes to increase downforce or wind-flow around the car.

Can a car use a wing or body-shape at higher speeds for LIFT to reduce the weight to improve fuel economy - or would the lift reduce traction and be a safety hazzard? Just curious why not have adjusting wing so at high driving speeds (70mph) your car is made a bit lighter (lift) and uses less fuel - or would this also produce drag. Perhaps adjustable wings could move to a lift position at high speeds, a neutral level slower or angle to increase down-force in rainy conditions? This prolly just shows my lack of knowledge of the physics of car aerodynamics at 70mph.


http://www.speedace.info/solar_cars/...owered_car.jpg
  Reply With Quote