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Old 08-30-2011, 01:20 PM   #18 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
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More quantified info about the Malibu's aero tweaks, and how many counts of drag (0.001) each contributed:

Quote:
10 counts: Underbody panels - two in the mid-body area under the floor pan on either side of the center tunnel, and two in the rear area covering the fuel tank and rear area on either side of the exhaust

10 counts: Rounded front corners - from the bottom of the fascia up through the headlamps - help air flow smoothly along the Malibu's body sides

10 counts: Tire deflectors positioned forward of the front tires act as "mini-air dams" to minimize wind disruptions

7 counts: The closed upper grille on select models pushes wind to the sides of the Malibu

7 counts: Outside rearview mirrors are specifically designed to deflect wind without "upsetting" the airflow

7 counts: Shutters in the lower grill opening on select models open and close automatically to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. This increases cooling airflow to the engine under certain conditions, such as under high-engine loads at low speeds, and reduces aerodynamic drag when extra cooling is not needed

5 counts: The front air dam redirects airflow to minimize aerodynamic disruptions

5 counts: The notch angle of the vehicle - the angle from the top of the rear glass to the trailing edge of the decklid - was optimized to reduce wind drag

2 counts: An integrated decklid spoiler incorporates a crisp, trailing edge that helps separate air from the rear of the Malibu.
Also noteworthy about those grille shutters, something I'd been wondering about up here in the Great White North: seems we automatically lose the aero benefit during the winter...

Quote:
When ambient temperatures fall below freezing, the active shutters operate in "ice mode." By working with a thermometer that monitors outside air temperature, the ice mode will prevent movement of the aero shutters until ambient temperatures rise above the freezing mark. Sensors work with onboard computers to calculate when the ice mode is appropriate.
Source: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is No Drag in Aerodynamics - MarketWatch
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