Quote:
Originally Posted by Regenerit
So how come some cars are touted to be aerodyamic when they have their modified bumper (such as in an insight) all the way down to inches off of the ground when in this would theoretically raise the Cd of the vehicle?
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We probably need to know the context in which the term 'aerodynamic' is used.
Anything which the air blows across,or moves through the air is 'aerodynamic.'
Tornadoes and hurricanes are aerodynamic.So are manhole covers and chewing gum stuck to the underside of a park bench.
If they're implying 'low-drag' then their Cd better be no more than 0.15 to even qualify.
All vehicles will exhibit aerodynamic qualities peculiar to their specific architecture.So it's tough to make general 'one-size-fits-all' recommendations about streamlining.
For those professionals who streamline for a living,they have encountered enough situations where a 'deeper' front airdam has increased drag,that they published peer-reviewed scientific papers addressing their concerns and gave lectures at the annual engineering conferences to warn other engineers and designers of the hazards of going 'too far.'
You'll know if your car responds well and if you can live with the modified driving required to keep the dam alive.
The lowest drag cars never have 'deep' airdams,but rather, active suspension and just lower or adjust rake for the lowest Cd.