Quote:
Originally Posted by Cd
If Toyota tested the Lexus LS 430 in the same tunnel as the Prius, then that would mean it has a Cd of .26 versus .30 for the Insight.
So the LS 430 could be four counts better than the Insight !
Thats a lot of freedom for designers between the two shapes.
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I think looking at various MBs and the Lexus LS is pretty telling. You don't need a good overall shape to get to the 0.25 range, you just have to tweak the small details very carefully.
That said a good tail and greenhouse is definitely helpful, Porsche 911s do pretty well in the wind tunnel for their 285 tires and huge radiators, and the Nissan GTR has a pretty low Cd despite the wing. I think in a few years ~0.25Cd will be pretty standard, and we'll see more cars close to 0.20.