Quote:
Originally Posted by MeteorGray
I wish we'd get past this "template" fetish.
I believe it's been shown that our famous aerodynamic templates are generalizations at best, and as such can lead to misinterpretations, misapplications and mistakes.
No question that our templates are a good general guide to consider amongst other aerodynamic information, but it appears that too much reliance has been placed on them in some circles, which do not seem to include most of today's experts in the field.
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* This is a curious phenomena.
* Hucho reported that a Cd 0.09 vehicle was doable in December, 1986. It would require the 'template' as it's the only form he published which satisfied the initial condition for such a vehicle, which could be a passenger vehicle.
* The issue was the ' vehicle specification', set by the committee with the only authority to set specifications.
* It never had anything to do with 'aerodynamics.'
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* Today, no automotive manufacturer, excepting the Chinese, are even exploring really low drag.
* So its makes sense that, no legacy carmaker would even be paying attention to really low drag.
- Michael Mauer decides what a Porsche looks like.
- Marc Lichte decides what an Audi looks like.
- Walter Maria de Silva determines what a SEAT looks like.
- Klaus Bischoff determines what a Volkswagen looks like.
- it goes on and on........................
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* An aerodynamics engineer can measure and recommend 'til the cows come home, and it can all be for naught, if it's vetoed by the designer/ stylist. It's been this way since 1926.
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* So, in light of today's 'reality' of SUVs driving product planning, aerodynamic 'experts' might not even be swimming in waters, even remotely associated with low drag.
* And not to be disrespectful, but being an aerodynamics engineer for a legacy carmaker today may come down to a matter of putting lipstick on a pig.