View Single Post
Old 06-04-2012, 09:13 AM   #6 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard
Master EcoModder
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 7,908

Mica Blue - '05 Scion xA RS 2.0
Team Toyota
90 day: 42.48 mpg (US)

Forest - '15 Nissan Leaf S
Team Nissan
90 day: 156.46 mpg (US)

Number 7 - '15 VW e-Golf SEL
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 155.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3,475
Thanked 2,952 Times in 1,845 Posts
A car is three dimensional, so the 2D profile of an airfoil is only part of the picture. the sides should be tapered -- in fact, the sides can be tapered about as much as the top, and since the taper happens on both sides, this would shortened the length quite a bit, and end up forming a "fish tail".

Look at the Edison2 VLC (Very Light Car) for an example of this. The VLC was tested in the GM wind tunnel and got a Cd (using the older SAE formulas) of 0.145; so this is comparable with most of the Cd numbers we have used here on EM. The newer SAE formulas gave a Cd of 0.164. The VLC has a relatively "pointy" front end and outboard wheels, so if you apply the above profile to a chassis that has enclosed wheels (and a much narrower rear wheel track), then the Cd could likely be even lower.
__________________
Sincerely, Neil

http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/
  Reply With Quote