Quote:
Originally Posted by aerohead
My opinion is that these are just a styling gimmick.The strakes add reinforcement to the otherwise flimsy valance panel,providing some structural stiffening to prevent flutter caused by the wake.
I've seen Lincoln Continentals and Town Cars who's rear bumper facias would 'tremble' at highway speeds,revealing aeroelastic deformations caused by the wake turbulence/vorticity.
Automakers can change this area each year (along with the nose) at very low cost,giving buyers the impression that their 'new' car is 'different' from the previous year model.
You'll never see airplanes,airships,or submarines do this.
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So you think they incorporate them into diffusers just for structural rigidity?