Air Curtain
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...ir-Curtain.jpg
"The new Air Curtain is the latest innovation BMW aerodynamics. First introduced in the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, Air Curtain now would be a standard feature on the 128i Convertible. Air curtain increase airflow around the front wheel arches with the benefits of turbulence are significantly reduced." I would love to see some DIY takes on BMW's latest innovation. |
My impression is that it is more of a marketing too. Sorta like hood scoops that are not connected to the intake or most rear located spoilers on sports cars. Just my humble opinion but I am always open to being shown different.
Randy |
I have those suspicions too. Ducts generally don't increase aero efficiency, even if these things aren't exactly long ducts. There is a chance they are on to something- they have the wind tunnel after all. We'll see if this strategy becomes commonly implemented...
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Corner scoops / air guides are fitted to just about all European cab-over-engine trucks.
This looks like it's doing the same on a smaller scale, then using the scooped air to blanket the wheel arch like an invisible front skirt. I don't see why it should be disregarded. These guys have their own pretty modern windtunnel. |
Most new cars around here have them. But the scoops are blanked off! lol!!
I expect the drag created on the functional ones will be offset by the drag reduced by the air curtain. Watching this space. |
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that said i wouldn't just dismiss the bmw setup as just marketing, it's usually little details that cause little changes in drag. in fact the new ford fiesta over at the parking lot at work has two open side scoops that lead into the bumper and i think there's some vents in the front fender too. could be the same thing. when looking at the bmw efficient dynamics concept there's something interesting too http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...-car-walls.jpg the car seems to have some sort of scoops on the front and this picutes shows theres actual clean ducts to the wheel wells and not radiators or whatever http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...ynamics_15.jpg seems like the same thing going on there |
The air curtain is pretty small but effective in reducing drag at speed (albeit .01%, but every bit helps)
Euromodder is spot on, the scooped air is being used to blanket the wheel arch like an invisible front skirt. View of the slots on the M Coupe. http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...cd_gallery.jpg Reverse angle. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/...0c348e70_z.jpg |
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The Iveco ECOSTRALIS & Scania hi-box trucks have these corner deflectors that help cut side aero resistance. It is supposedly more important on crosswind aero and yaw dependance drag. The side deflectors work to diffuse the tall vertical bluff-cornered boxes.
Maybe it works like a race car side ducts, 'in front'. Wheel wells traps so much turbulent air from counter tire rotation, engine bay & brake heated air. Opposite a typical corner canard, the front vertical airflow reduce the pressure difference & air stagnation inside the bay. ECOSRALIS Aerodynamic Kit |
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If you're burning,and someone throws gasoline on you,there will be a localized cooling effect,but you're still on fire. |
Perhaps the Cd value well tell what value these ducts have.
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Stated in post #7, a reduction cd of .01
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Maybe they're underdoing it for esthetic reasons.
Looks like only 1/3rd of the wheel is covered. How about a scoop that ranges from top of the wheel arch, down to as low as the body is. Obviously without going much beyond the original width of the car. |
"inlets at either side route air in front of the wheel openings creating a boundary layer of air, reducing drag around the wheels and tires. Not that the 1M is slippery with a drag coefficient of 0.37. At least the "air curtains" drop that by about 0.01." - interwebs
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The BMW air curtain is a very subtle corner canard as compared to very extravagant front corner versions from the Japanese racing aftermarket. These external examples are corner box canard/splitters. Note the horizontal winglets are angled flat, collecting front air pressure flow and narrowing it down just before the well opening, probably with similar hopeful results.
http://www.gtrblog.com/wp-content/up...02-540x405.jpg Other concept cars with these devices. http://theblogaboutcars.com/wp-conte...citroen-GT.jpg |
brand new audi S1 ....air curtains?
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...bb67lt_800.jpg http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...abh2lx_800.jpg http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...absklr_800.jpg they look like it might be just cosmetic, but on the last picture if you look closely you can see trough the left duct meaning it's really open and might do a little more than just be for looks. since this is a fast version of the A1 it might be more for stability than economy |
ooo, yeah, look at that... it looks like it is helping the air turn the corner...
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On the way to work today I saw a Subaru sedan but not sure on the year or model but it had something similar to this after the front wheels. It looked like there was a slit inside the wheel well that vented about 2-3 inches back from the wheel, I assume this is to give the air a place to escape reducing the amount of turbulent air shooting out from the wheel.
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think it might have been this model you sawhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...X_STI_rear.jpg
seems to have vents in front and behind the wheels |
The one I saw was not a hatch but that is what I was talking about, I did not notice the vent in the front but it could have had one and just blended in since it was dark blue. I wonder if having the vent only after the wheel well if it would reduce cd.
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some vents might be to aid cooling. since viewing this thread i'm looking with a little more attention to these areas and only today i noticed on i think a mazda 5 mpv that the "fake" airscoop on one side as actually open and had a little radiator behind it that vented into the wheelwell at the back... i suppose this is for the airco.
but it created an interesting tension between the left "fake" scoop and the right functional one. this is largely off topic but what i mean to say is that not every vent is an "air curtain" and might be for just styling or cooling, and i think on the subaru it's likely one of those |
I think with the A1 it is the intercooler in the wheelarch issue like my Fabia. They put the same outlet for the warm air on both sides to make it look the same.
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Possible Air Curtain, Pikes Peak Dacia Duster:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....r-no-limit.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....r-no-limit.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....r-no-limit.jpg |
2012 Jaguar XKR-S
http://www.otofans.com/wp-content/up...-side-view.jpg |
I saw this in Troy, Michigan last week.
Air curtain? http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...iata-mouth.jpg |
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SO........BMW just made up the picture to convience a bunch of ricki racers to buy the 1 series......... Do you realize the grief that would rain down on BMW if that picture was not 100% factual???? come on....... |
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actually, it is very practical.
Keeps from having to do discs on the rims. discs cost money. air flow doesnt. heat build up is now a mute point. They can still design stylish rims. |
Just a sample of interesting side suckers at Frankfurt Auto Show.
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...9/kia_gt_2.jpg http://static5.businessinsider.com/i...-forvision.jpg http://motoren.files.wordpress.com/2...prod-press.jpg http://www.tuningnews.net/news/11083...ept-car-01.jpg http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/2...g/L1080064.jpg |
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I'm cross-linking to another thread (not my work) I've been posting in for a few weeks. You guys might find this project of special interest, and the comment made of some value. You may have to sign-up to see some of the images, sorry about that. http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?3231-Cfd http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...orvid-CFD1.jpg |
Not every side-mounted airscoop develops into an air curtain.
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My other hobby is hovercraft, and early hovercraft used an "air curtain" to contain the cushion or bubble of lift air under the hovercraft hull. In that context, I have to ask what's next? A blower fan blowing pressurized air over the wheel wells?:p That idea is not so crazy, NASA has a few illustrations of helicopter, propeller and fan blades with pressurized air flow. The intent in those examples is to lower the overall sound levels caused by turbulence. |
Well racers have had blowers before (old posting I know)
http://ashcom.homestead.com/RMH3257W.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...6B_Fan_car.jpg Slightly OT - what about Ground Effect which was used in F1 for a few years (until banned). http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...a_Lotus_78.jpg You would need variable ride height though, maybe ? Just a though. |
Don't laugh too loudly about fans. Morelli et al realized a 5kW reduction in power required for an expenditure of 240W by putting inward drawing fans in rear wheel covers. (Admittedly with some fancy ductwork too)
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The average pothole is way deeper than the almost non-existant ride height . |
1 Attachment(s)
I'm a mazda guy and here is Mazdaspeed's 3
Down-force and collecting air at the sides. http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1316047336 |
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I believe taking air out from under the car creates better down force. |
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