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Yes - I see the idea of sandwiching one between belly pans and protection with ski plates was discussed.
I don't think it would work on most small cars BUT on SUVs and pickup trucks there should be loads of space down under. Moreover, aren't trucks and SUVs the worst offenders when it comes to aerodynamics? (i.e. pickups and SUV have the greatest room for aerodynamic improvement and the greatest potential cost and environmental savings.)
Could you even downsize a radiator by mounting it as far back as possible so the coolant would be partly cooled by the time it got there? (Maybe add heat sinks / fins to the coolant lines.) Protect the lines and radiator with a vented/channelled belly/skid pan and you'd gain even more aerodynamic benefits.
Any thoughts on a short but wide upfront radiator that displaces the traditional positioning of the headlights? Where headlights are currently mounted why not put a radiator. Then have, say, two quite wide banks of headlights lights sitting above or below it - or a single band of LEDs right across the entire front of the vehicle. (Or mount the headlights right into the face of the grill in front of the radiator - or in the bumper or both.)
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