Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
The base of the windshield is the point where the cross sectional area begins a greater increase than ahead of it. From the bottom of the windshield to the top of it is basically the zone where we go from some portion (2/3?) of max frontal area to full frontal area. When you go from smaller frontal area to larger frontal area there will be a "pressure" increase, no doubt about it. The operating theory here seems to be that making this increase in pressure from the base to the top of the winshield more gradual somehow decreases drag. What I'm trying to say is, why would that be? If you're going from 2/3 frontal area to 1/1 frontal area in that general zone anyway, and if the flow ahead of the zone is basically unaltered (non turbulent, as before), and the flow past the A-pillars is basically unaltered (non turbulent, as before), then... WHAT? What's the difference? I say, none.
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It always takes less energy to change direction with a larger radius... compare coasting your car through a 90 degree corner vs a wide sweeping curve.