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Been reading a ton of aero studies and recent journals from the last few years from aero engineers. Cutting edge stuff. One journal was mentioning a short 12-15 degree taper at the rear can reduce wake size and increase base pressure at the rear. Another study was done using box cavities that were short and also controlled the wake and increased base pressure. And another study I saw actually compared a short tapered box cavity was actually MORE EFFECTIVE than a filled in boat tail for reducing drag ( it didn’t explain why, I’m just guessing because theres no solid mass for the air to pull back on with the “ suction affect”?)
Many newer suvs are adding very small tapered box cavity edges on the sides of the rear glass and go up to the roof spoilers if you notice. One of the lead aero engineers at Land Rover was mentioning in an aero paper than they can’t make long tapers or cavities due to styling and design and “ practicality for a real world road car” but admitted how powerful the tool is for reducing drag
So pretty much I’m working on a few mock ups for rear cavity tapered edges. Flared fins that follow the OEM shape, can give a maybe more sporty look? And will extend the rear and taper the edges to reduce wake size and base pressure. Final version will be a bit longer than the current photos, and using abs plastic and be permanent. A benefit of these would also be for when I do make a removable boat tail, the slightly flexible abs plastic flares can be used to go over the edges/start of the boat tail extension to “ seal” the gap.
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