Factory partial grill blocks, etc.

[fud2468]

Sorry if this has been discussed before and I've missed it. I've been away a while and only now able to get back on.
I notice that late-model Ford vehicles (and maybe others as well) have large horizontal strips across the grill opening, leaving relatively narrow openings for cooling air. This seems to be providing the area that a partial grill block would provide, but with a lot of turbulence built in. Obviously this is a style thing, but I wonder how much this affects aero.
Along with this, very large lower grill openings (much larger than necessary)seem to be the fashion--the smaller the vehicle, the larger the opening. Is this a macho thing? Seems like there's a lot of room for improvement.
Ray Mac