Lexus CT200h 42 MPG
 

Hmmmmmm


http://i56.tinypic.com/9r12tz.jpg


Bigger Version of CT200 with Template Overlay

So is following ®"The Template" the key to peak aero efficiency??? Lexus thinks so.

But isn't it better to have the roofline slant back at a greater angle ?
If you do this same template test on the Insight, Prius, and other cars with good Cd figures, the slope is much greater.

For example, look at the roofline of the new Prius station wagon - despite being closer to the template, the Cd is worse.

Could you please explain this, Cd? Is it the plan view that allows the profile to deviate from the template? If so, what good, really, is the template? I'm just trying to understand this better- if it doesn't need to meet the template the Stromlinet Vogn can have a little better rear seat headroom. :thumbup:

You're asking the wrong person. I'm just here to look at the pretty pictures.:)

I'm confused about the template even more than you. If the 'perfect' car looks like the Lexus above, that's a hell of a big wake ! Even if the rear window slopes down too fast, my guess would be that despite having flow separation, it would have a smaller wake because of less wake area ( isn't the wake are turbulent guys ?)

I'm clueless.