ABT rs4 aero wheel - thoughts?
 

Saw these some time back .. joined up on this forum yesterday so thought i'd share (can't see that they've been discussed before?)

These are an option on the ABT (German tuning co) modified audi RS4.

Rather than a full cover (i'm assuming to allow brake cooling) they are essential a "ring" running around the outer edge of the wheel.

I did some research and found a technical paper that looked at various designs of wheel covers and this sort of design was very effective - i'll dig out that paper and post it here if can find it.

Other advantage of these vs. a full cover is that it keeps the lug nuts accessible so removing the wheel will be possible with the cover in place.

I might look to make up some similar covers for my wheels.

https://www.abt-sportsline.com/filea...b3a148673f.jpg


More info: https://www.abt-sportsline.com/compa...imited-series/

https://uk.motor1.com/news/260350/ab...heel-for-sale/

Oh, and they are a little pricey.. :D

Looks like similar tech is used on the ABT formula e car:
https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e...7672/12797672/

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/...eel-detail.jpg

Thoughts?

I think Daniel Abt probably says "they are aerodynamically efficient" but my german isn't good enough :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8SD...youtu.be&t=305

https://research.chalmers.se/publica...2_Fulltext.pdf

Is this the study? I found it in another of your posts. Great find! I was glad to see the authors address wheel venting and the total contribution to aerodynamic drag. I have experimented with fully covered rims on my Golf and found no measurable improvement. I suspect it interferes with flow out of the front wheel wells and creates greater lift/drag.

P.S. This probably should be posted in Aerodynamics. If you contact a moderator they can move it for you.

interesting :) i'm going to experiment with some covers that have a vent in the middle. It's on my list to do over the next few months (along with underbody, grill block etc..!)

Aero-rings, inspired by Formula E wheels. FIA had F1 wheel fairings/shrouds/covers in 2007-2009 but banned them for safety reasons. They came off at speed and aero studies have shown that the covers have "quite an adverse effect on the following car." https://www.motor1.com/photo/3141403...abt-aerowheel/

I'm planning to make up something that looks a bit like this:


... maybe just on the rears initially (thinking about brake cooling being more important for the fronts).

Did you ever get to make these? Would love to see the build.

sorry not been around here much lately - not done yet, it's still planned.

my car hasn't moved in 10 weeks.. (corona)

:(

good for fuel economy though :D