View Single Post
Old 12-27-2009, 12:32 PM   #4 (permalink)
3-Wheeler
Master EcoModder
 
3-Wheeler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Southern WI
Posts: 827

AlienMobile - '00 Honda Insight
Team Honda
90 day: 80.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 101
Thanked 560 Times in 191 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertSmalls View Post
...Don't judge a car solely by its CdA with 0° yaw, look also at its crosswind sensitivity. Rounded sides are nice to have, as is a short overall length....
I'm not much of a sailor but...

Several friends that are avid sailors pointed out that, with the right shape, a good side-wind can actually make the car more slippery due to the sail effect.

A good airfoil shape also has this tendency up to the point of stall. So, in this case making the tail longer actually helps....

And again, the above only works for low angles of yaw. These designs are always a compromise.

If the wind is coming at you at 90°, then you have more losses due to the larger surface area.

Jim.

Last edited by 3-Wheeler; 12-27-2009 at 04:50 PM..
  Reply With Quote