Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
Does the nose function as an aerodynamic improvement? The Mercedes Bionic (aka the Boxfish) has a similar nose and it does seem to have a benefit - maybe to initiate the motion of the air, since it is the first portion of the car to push it aside.
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Hi Neil,
the nose is a improvement.
By replacing only of the bumper and radiator grill, aerodynamics improve dramatic.
See
wind tunnel results
But it is not based on the boxfish.
In my concept, two bionic shapes are used.
On the upper side, the nose of the penguin as (Stufenvorlaufkörper) to accelerate and slow down the air several times bevor it reache the main body.
On the bottom, the stingray have good characteristics in the ground effect.
So the bumper is the synthesis of several requirements and bionic solutions.
Bionic is the science of copying nature for technical applications
The nose is the result from what I have learned from my "Xanon X1" concept.
Image: Xanon X1
The air intake is the result of studies of air intake in front of the wheels, because wheels can make 30% of aerodynamic drag.
(But designers like to show big wheels)
Last but not least, it is not important to model the shape of the car, but the distribution of pressure in front of the car.
Rule: Aerodynamics starts not at the object but in a distance befor.
Ulrich