Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Aerodynamics the cold war soviet Russian way

NeilBlanchard · 07-02-2014, 08:07 PM

I am not talking about ground effects (specifically for downforce) - what I am commenting on is the ideal template has a flatter underside for lower drag. The presence of the ground (which is obviously required!) changes the parameters for the underside of the car - the air moves differently near the ground because the ground restricts where it can move.

Having the underside the same profile as the top, is by definition higher drag. And in this case, the other bad side effect is probably a fair bit of lift. Also, the exposed wheels on the Russian car also mean the drag is actually pretty high.

Another point, is in 1938, there was enough aerodynamic knowledge to build this:

So, the rules of low drag aerodynamics were known.

07-02-2014, 08:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard Master EcoModder 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	I am not talking about ground effects (specifically for downforce) - what I am commenting on is the ideal template has a flatter underside for lower drag. The presence of the ground (which is obviously required!) changes the parameters for the underside of the car - the air moves differently near the ground because the ground restricts where it can move. Having the underside the same profile as the top, is by definition higher drag. And in this case, the other bad side effect is probably a fair bit of lift. Also, the exposed wheels on the Russian car also mean the drag is actually pretty high. Another point, is in 1938, there was enough aerodynamic knowledge to build this: So, the rules of low drag aerodynamics were known. __________________ Sincerely, Neil http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/ Last edited by NeilBlanchard; 07-02-2014 at 08:14 PM..