Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
[everything changed in 1989.]
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Not that date specifically, but in the late 1980s yes, a huge amount changed in airflow patterns on sedans. Basically, we went from separation occurring at the end of the roof (sometimes with reattachment on the trailing edge of the boot/trunk, but often not), to largely attached flow down the rear window and onto the boot/trunk lid.
In turn this dramatically changed:
1) the main cause of rear lift
2) drag coefficient
3) how rear spoilers work
Old shape sedan (1986):
New shape sedan (1988):
Even newer shape sedan (2013):
Notice the change in rear window angle and C-pillar curvature.
So yes, basing your understanding of airflow patterns on sedans on a 1987 textbook is highly problematic.