View Single Post
Old 03-01-2013, 12:48 PM   #24 (permalink)
Blue Angel
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Blue Angel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Posts: 190

Previous Car - '12 Chevrolet Cruze Eco MT
Team Chevy
90 day: 44.29 mpg (US)

535d XDrive - '16 BMW 535d M-Sport
Thanks: 17
Thanked 59 Times in 38 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by kach22i View Post
Back to the topic of air management, I think Ferrari's claims are overreaching but that there is something valid to it.
Agreed.

The feature obviously does something, but exactly what that something is will likely remain a mystery.

I tend to think the stylists had as much or more to do with the initial concept of this idea as the aero guys did. If the stylists want to add something for visual reasons, as long as it is at least aero-performance neutral they would have no reason not to allow it.

Looking at it another way, the stylists could have been pushing the large bodyside scallop, and the aero guys may have resisted it because it disrupted airflow down the side of the vehicle. Coming up with a vent to "fill" that scallop may have been a way to please both parties while giving the marketing team something really "innovative" to run with... a win-win-win.

This feature may not reduce drag or improve downforce at all, but the marketing folk can tell you whatever they think you want to hear.
__________________
2016 BMW 535d
4100lb XDrive Eco-Yacht
  Reply With Quote