Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Idea for cars with un-aerodynamic windshields

newguyintown · 06-12-2011, 06:18 PM

So some cars have a gently sloping hood, and then an abrupt steep windshield, with a sharp edge at the top. This would accelerate airflow and then "launch" it upwards, right? That would cause separation of airflow, just like a vehicle would have on the back end. I was thinking you could put some kind of top on the car that starts at the slope of the windshield and then rounds off to keep airflow attached, then sloping backward toward the back of the vehicle, with possibly a kammback on the back end.

My question is, because the frontal area increases, is it still possible to have a net gain? I think so, because the total area affected by air could possibly be less, and the back end could be more aerodynamic.

Take a look at the thread "AeroTruck", on page 4 there is an example of airflow, where the frontal area increases, but the airflow remains attached, and is brought back downwards, reducing the wake.

I'm thinking this might possibly be a good modification for cars with a poorly designed windshield, that don't have problems with clearance.

06-12-2011, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
newguyintown EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 22 Thanks: 21 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Idea for cars with un-aerodynamic windshields So some cars have a gently sloping hood, and then an abrupt steep windshield, with a sharp edge at the top. This would accelerate airflow and then "launch" it upwards, right? That would cause separation of airflow, just like a vehicle would have on the back end. I was thinking you could put some kind of top on the car that starts at the slope of the windshield and then rounds off to keep airflow attached, then sloping backward toward the back of the vehicle, with possibly a kammback on the back end. My question is, because the frontal area increases, is it still possible to have a net gain? I think so, because the total area affected by air could possibly be less, and the back end could be more aerodynamic. Take a look at the thread "AeroTruck", on page 4 there is an example of airflow, where the frontal area increases, but the airflow remains attached, and is brought back downwards, reducing the wake. I'm thinking this might possibly be a good modification for cars with a poorly designed windshield, that don't have problems with clearance.