Quote:
Originally Posted by Cd
As far as dimples on automobiles, I notice that Lexus did a famous job of dimpling the LS430 underside, and to my surprise VW is still using dimpling on the undersides of their cars . There must be something to it, otherwise they wouldn't bother ( Lexus used the dimples as a PR stunt, and this may have been the actual reasoning behing the dimples, but why then is VW using them if they don't really work ? )
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Dimpled underpans would have another non-aero reason for being dimpled...
NVH reduction - Noise, Vibration, and Harshness.
Especially for metal parts, dimpling, ribbing, and other forms of bracing or mass-damping would keep an otherwise perfectly flat panel from vibrating at higher frequencies.
High frequency vibration are more likely to bother occupants inside the car, than lower ones. As an overall structure, a more rigid car has better handling, to boot.
That's just my take on that idea. It may be good PR, may possibly have some benefit for delaying flow separation, but my best guess is it's a compromise of all three.