[Christ]

Originally Posted by racerob

These are very interesting ideas but I do not see the energy savings. For example: If you are going to put solar cells on a vehicle why not charge the battery rather than run the alternator? Wouldn't it create the same (or better) net gain? And if you are running the exhaust into a port which creats 1/2lb pressure what effect does that have on engine efficiency? I do not see the 'free energy' which operates the air pump.
My thoughts are that reducing frontal area is the most direct route to reducing the wake. Maybe a duct at the windshield base to feed air toward the sides at critical points would be more feasable.

Except removing the high-pressure zone at the windshield will do more toward compromising aero, by creating an area where flow can attach, then will have to "ramp" the windshield-roofline bridge, which will result in more detached airflow along the top of the car, causing even more of a low-pressure area on the roof.