2008 Ford Focus (Hatchback) mod.

[calfianu]

I wanted to clean a bit the front side of this car. The fog lights are under 0.75 mm transparent plastic (it is used to build green houses). Seems ridgid enough to be kept in position by 2X 3.5 mm screws and to preserve the shape.

For the top grill, I wanted to block it outside I believe small "buckets" in the front do influence the flow and the aerodynamic drag. I tried mirrored plastic, but is too thin and not strong enough to keep the shape. I have to remove, it (it is fixed with double side adhesive tape TESSA) and reinforce it somehow... A CAD model will be great, Than I could make a 3D model of the grill block...

[HydroJim]

That is definitely a very clean look. Any plans for other modifications?

[calfianu]

I would like to add an spoiler on the bottom rear window like this:
Rear wheels fairings will be interesting, but the aesthetic impact will be to big.
Maybe the deflectors in front of the wheels will be modified so the air will directed sidewards, so the air will hit the deflector in a 45 - 30 degrees.
30 mm lower body will be also nice, but I am happy with the current setting of the suspension and I would not like to change it...

The bonnet is too short so the wipers are not protected. The Opel Astra G was much better designed regarding this topic. I wonder if there is an bonnet extensions aftermarket.

[Ehninger12]

Im digging the lower grill blocks and fog light covers, i especially like the bolts showing, it looks kind of tough. As for the the fog light covers even if they don't improve Aero flow, it will surely save some money when a rock decides to attack your fog lights!

[calfianu]

I am not so sure the airflow is not improved with those covers over the fog lights. Previously there were some pockets where the air remains trapped with a increased of pressure. The appearance of the bolts is not so nice, but for now I can live with this. Maybe, in the future I will be able to redesign the bumper entirely using fiber glass. Thank you for the comment.

[beatr911]

Good clean up of the airflow. Though not OEM finish, I think you have done a nice job fitting block off panels to a stock front end. I'll try to use your idea of the fog light cover idea on my Focus as well. Thanks!

What is the black material you used for the grille block?

[calfianu]

The material si 1mm thick polypropylene with a satin (Matt) finish on one side bought from OBI (IT).
It will be nice to see an undertray for Focus hatchback.

UPDATE: Now the low grill block is made of aluminum 0.8mm plates.

[aerohead]

I completely enclosed the cowl area and windshield wipers of the T-100 at the Bonneville Salt Flats and it made no measurable improvement,even at 105 mph.

[calfianu]

It doesn't look too bad. The wheel skirt is almost flat and can be placed without affecting the existing body. I wonder how beneficial.

[calfianu]

with this modification shown on the beginning of this post
my medium consumption in the case a predominant (80%) usage on highway (130 km/h = 80.7 mph) modified (calculated based on the no. of km made between too full tanks) dropped from 6.8 l/100 km to 6.5 l/100 km ( US 34.6 mpg to 36.1 mpg). It's a 2.0 l diesel car, and I might be wrong. But even the noise level in the car changed. In good.