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Basic Specs
1570kg (depending on trim)
3.8L 'Ecotec' V6 (L36? Related to the Buick 3.8), 147kw @ 5200 304Nm @3600
4spd electronic auto
12-7.2 l/100km city/highway (evidently the 6.5 figure was for my AU, which has a Cd of .29) ~1800rpm @ 100kph.
The commodore started out as GMH's interpretation of the 'V' car back in the 70's. After 1988 none of the original parts remained, and only the suspension was similar. When the VT came out in 97/98 it wiped away all memory of the 'V' car except the stud pattern and the badges.
Yes the round corners ARE a cause for concern. With the rear end of the VY (and front end 'not better but not worse either') sharpened only a little drag went from .33 to .32... And they didn't exactly go extreme.
In terms of aero I'm thinking covered rear wheel arches, make a clear separation point, front and rear undertray (I'll leave the floor if I can't get enough material), and maybe front wheel covers. The front wheels (according to the oft-quoted volvo table) make up 13% of the total drag and the rear make up 7%, so if I can find some foam blocks I'll give that a try, along with removing the mud guards.
Math time people...
Original - 0.33
+ Sharp cutoff - 0.32
+ Wheel deflectors 'kit' (half the drag from the wheels through flat caps, covers, and deflectors) - .288
+ Undertray (take 1/3rd off total axle, suspension, and floor drag) - 0.25
So going from 0.33 to 0.25 is 3/4 of the drag.
Assuming the car actually GETS 7.2l/100km now and aero makes 90% of the total drag, I'm looking at 5.6l/100km IF the engine is just as efficient. Mathmatically the engine can't be as efficient so I'm probably looking at 6l/100km (however it will probably stay in lean cruise longer).
1.2l/100km over 1800km = 21.6L of fuel = $28 fuel saving over a really long trip.
So if I spend $28 on parts, I'll have an immediate break even point and will have proven a few theories on the way...
I might enjoy this immensely...
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