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Old 10-23-2013, 02:30 PM   #2 (permalink)
redpoint5
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I learned some things from the video, but the conclusion should be qualified.

The narrator concludes that an airfoil reduces both lift and drag to the degree that a car would win a drag race against the same car without an airfoil. Then he mentions that F1 cars generate so much downforce with an airfoil that it exceeds the weight of the vehicle. However, in F1 they have the DRS (Drag Reduction System) that can be activated that moves the rear wing, decreases downforce, and increases speed.

So there appears to be a balance between downforce and drag that has to be achieved, otherwise an airfoil will not always be more efficient.

I would think the Prius would include an airfoil if it would improve the drag profile of the car.
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