Aero concept car: Bugatti Stratos - "real" or "sylistic" aero?

[freebeard]

I saw a quote on the wall this last weekend at the Auto Museum:

"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines" Enzo Ferrari

I'm pretty sure these designs are unbuilt, although the Bugatti one is presumed to have the W16 out of the Veyron.

High speeds would bring out the flaws in these styling exercises. I think they're interesting for the different ways they handle underbody airflow.

There was a thread on the underbody that the mods spun this one out of.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by Telco

Not a fan of any of the designs, but as to whether it's functional or stylistic aero, what's the car's top speed? The faster the car's top speed, the more functional the aero must be.

As much as aero matters, power matters for top speed. Aero can be amazing and have little power, or there can be crazy power with no regard to aero. So it depends if they put a W in it or a 3 cylinder.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I saw a quote on the wall this last weekend at the Auto Museum:

"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines" Enzo Ferrari

Didn't he also say something along the lines of the chassis was just there to support the engine ?

Just around the time Cooper, Vanwall and Lotus overtook his cars with fire pump engines ?

[freebeard]

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Here's another quote from the Museum:
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough" Mario Andretti

[Telco]

Well, yes and no. If the aero is wrong, the engine can make the car fly. I beleive someone here posted this pic in another post?

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by Telco

Well, yes and no. If the aero is wrong, the engine can make the car fly. I beleive someone here posted this pic in another post?

This should only happen if one lets more lift occur than downforce, to my knowledge. And it is not yes and no. It does not matter how bad the aero is, if one can add power, it can go faster. It may not be efficient or useful, but it can. Aero has a terminal point. Power does, but it is much easier to find the aero limit than power. Fron NA, to direct injection, turbo, super, dual air induction, different fuels, electric power, so on. How low can we make drag? At least, while staying on the ground, in our atmosphere.

I am not saying aero does not matter in the essence of automotives.

You asked what their top speed is, on these non production cars without engines. Well, their top speed depends on their engine. If one put a w12 or 16 quad turbo into an F150, I reckon it would have a higher top speed than these concepts with 300 hp in them.

Yes, aero matters. But aero x power = top speed

[Telco]

Originally Posted by UltArc

This should only happen if one lets more lift occur than downforce, to my knowledge. And it is not yes and no. It does not matter how bad the aero is, if one can add power, it can go faster. It may not be efficient or useful, but it can. Aero has a terminal point. Power does, but it is much easier to find the aero limit than power. Fron NA, to direct injection, turbo, super, dual air induction, different fuels, electric power, so on. How low can we make drag? At least, while staying on the ground, in our atmosphere.

I am not saying aero does not matter in the essence of automotives.

You asked what their top speed is, on these non production cars without engines. Well, their top speed depends on their engine. If one put a w12 or 16 quad turbo into an F150, I reckon it would have a higher top speed than these concepts with 300 hp in them.

Yes, aero matters. But aero x power = top speed

Excellent, then we are in agreement.

[Sven7]

I guarantee you neither of those "concepts" exist. I also guarantee you Bugatti had nothing to do with that "Bugatti concept".

Looks like an aero mess.

[Frank Lee]

^Agreed.

[Arragonis]

Every car designer (or car doodler like me) has a Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic rendering somewhere. The original one still looks the best TBH.

As for Aero, its more in the looks than the reality, and the chassis was just there to support the body as it took its owner and his mistress to dinner at a sedate 40-50 MPH - For example this rather fierce looking "Lorry" could outrun it.