Random Aerodynamic Oddity of the Day Thread

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by redneck

.1984 Honda ZOE ZIPPER

Honda's oddball Zoe Zipper was anything but normal
Honda’s oddball Zoe Zipper had three wheels, a top speed of 45 mph and room for only one person
https://driving.ca/honda/auto-news/n...-be-an-upgrade

The most ingenious function of the Zoe is the reverse gear mechanism. This consists of a chain-geared electric motor connected to a shaft with an added abrasive wheel which rubs on top of the single rear tire with enough grip to back out of a parking space.

The only drawback is the single-seat cabin; even a scooter can carry two people. Despite the 100 miles per gallon fuel economy at a top speed of 45 mph, one has to wonder about safety.

The Zipper was best known for being laughed at on the TV game show The Price is Right. It is reported that as many as 55 were given away as prizes...................

The photographed Zipper sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction a few years ago for $5,500. It would certainly make a great conversation piece if displayed in a Honda dealership showroom.

[Autobahnschleicher]

When I was working underneath my car, I noticed a rather unusual design of a tire spat/deflector or however you want to call that device.
I can't quite figure out what that channel above the deflector is supposed to do.
My best guess is it generates some kind of vortex or whatever.

Edit:
Note that it is NOT in front of the tire, but moved quite a lot on the inside.

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

When I was working underneath my car, I noticed a rather unusual design of a tire spat/deflector or however you want to call that device.
I can't quite figure out what that channel above the deflector is supposed to do.
My best guess is it generates some kind of vortex or whatever.

Edit:
Note that it is NOT in front of the tire, but moved quite a lot on the inside.

Brake cooling duct

[Autobahnschleicher]

I don't think that's the case, the brake is all the way in the wheel while this doesn't seem to direct any airflow there.
The MR2 also doesn't realy need much front brake cooling to begin with as it is a very lightweight car with a very light front axle.
Haven't had it on a scale yet, but there certsinly are less than 400 kg on the front axle.

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

I don't think that's the case, the brake is all the way in the wheel while this doesn't seem to direct any airflow there.
The MR2 also doesn't realy need much front brake cooling to begin with as it is a very lightweight car with a very light front axle.
Haven't had it on a scale yet, but there certsinly are less than 400 kg on the front axle.

That's not how front/rear brake sizing is worked out - it's based on total vehicle mass / performance and the weight transfer under braking.

It will be a brake duct, I'd be 90 per cent sure.

[Autobahnschleicher]

The brake ballance on the Spyder should be rather close to 50/50 as it has:
1. a rear weight bias
2. a low center of gravity
3. a surprisingly long wheelbase

The load transfer should be rather low due to the low center of gravity and the long wheelbase.
When combined with the rear weight bias, a brake bias of close to 50/50 would make the most sense and can be observed in many other mid/rear engined vehicles.
Allthough I could see why Toyota would tweak it a little more front biased than ideal as the MK2 was known for a lot of oversteer in these conditions.
The engine also isn't that powerfull at 140 PS or 103 kW and the car weights about 950 kg from the factory.

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

The brake ballance on the Spyder should be rather close to 50/50 as it has:
1. a rear weight bias
2. a low center of gravity
3. a surprisingly long wheelbase

The load transfer should be rather low due to the low center of gravity and the long wheelbase.
When combined with the rear weight bias, a brake bias of close to 50/50 would make the most sense and can be observed in many other mid/rear engined vehicles.
Allthough I could see why Toyota would tweak it a little more front biased than ideal as the MK2 was known for a lot of oversteer in these conditions.
The engine also isn't that powerfull at 140 PS or 103 kW and the car weights about 950 kg from the factory.

What are the front and rear brake sizes?

[Autobahnschleicher]

255 mm front
262,6 mm rear

[freebeard]

Agree with Julian Edgar. The wickerbill slows the air locally and the slot above it feeds a jet into the backside of the wheel hub.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

255 mm front
262,6 mm rear

Even for other rear-wheel drive vehicles, I don't remember seeing any with the rear brakes larger than front ones. Well, some trucks and buses have wider rear drums, but I don't remember anything similar regarding disc brakes such as a bigger disc or increasing the amount of pistons to the calipers.