Quote:
Originally Posted by DragBean
@CD
So why would rounding the front NOT decrease the overall drag? Pretty much in any sub-sonic application a rounded approach will allow air to slip around the object far better than a flat face.
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Air works in crazy ways. This car had a Cd of .19 :
The figure was later brought up to .20-.21 i believe.
This car tested out at .201 ...
with the hood scoop :
Source :
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/paint-b...-aerodynamics/
Gm tested the EV-1 at their tunnel that gives a reading lower Cd reading than the example I just gave with the Camaro.
So ...That Camaro has a better drag coefficient than the EV-1.
Oh - and an interesting factoid : The guy that tests the Camaro in that article worked at GM on the aerodynamics of the EV-1.
Boggles the mind doesn't it ?
Rounding the corners
does decrease drag, but only a slight amount is needed to retain attached flow.
Other times though, a sharp edge is better. You see a lot of new vehicles with fake scoops at the corners of the front ends. Air forms a pocket there and skips around the wheels of the vehicles creating an " air curtain"
It all makes a person just throw their hands up and say " whatevah ! "