Are these Lexus RZ450e rear vortex generators?

[BamZipPow]

Looks like rear facing horns to me...

[freebeard]

Crack the rear window open and have a passenger in that seat vaping. Quick and easy smoke trails.

[kach22i]

I once came up with something similar, but never followed through.

https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...a-19525-2.html

EDIT 12/16/11
I found a patent somewhat similar to the trail edge/corner thing I've been thinking about. Again, a wing, and not a box (truck cab).

Sadly the patent links no longer work.

The idea is air passing over the roof is at a different pressure than the side, therefore vortexes start forming at the corners, the reverse cone shape would delay or manage said vortexes in a controlled manner thereby reducing drag.

Aerohead if I recall correctly said such devises would not eliminate vortex formation, but might possibly delay it. To what end no one seems to know for sure.

Maybe the people at Lexus know now?

EDIT:

If you turn the original image upside down, it kind of has an under-tray rear diffuser thing going on.

[freebeard]

They're like Bonneville-style bat ears.

[kach22i]

Similar?


Jan 2021

2018 Honda Civic Type R vortex generators | Honda

The more I look at the original image, the more I am convinced it works like an undertray rear diffuser in that it channels the flow to contain the drag causing vortex.

Good article:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-d...rk-willem-toet

[Cd]

From the Lexus press kit :

SHAPED FOR AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

RZ’s spindle shape design generates a distinctive roof spoiler to suppress aerodynamic force acting on the body in a crosswind. This ensures a more stable driving feel. The center of the roof is shaped to allow air to flow smoothly from the sloped rear glass surface to the rear of the vehicle. The ducktail shape on the end of the trunk reduces aerodynamic drag by balancing the aft air flow. In addition, the generated downforce contributes to a stable driving feel. An undercover is used to flatten the underbody to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Having no engine to cool results in a low hood design and minimal front grille opening. The grille uses a grille shutter to improve aerodynamic efficiency. When cooling air is not required, the grille shutter is closed to reduce air resistance.

The seamless acceleration and dynamic performance of BEVs is expressed in the exterior design. Lexus’ identifiable spindle grille is replaced by a BEV Spindle Body. The new front bumper design focuses on aerodynamic efficiencies, optimized proportions and style, versus serving the cooling and exhaust needs of an internal combustion engine. This styling evolution ushers in a new Lexus aesthetic and establishes a new design direction for BEV offerings.

Within the spindle body is a minimalist, spacious interior focused on amplifying a sustainable mobility message and Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) through its application of mindfully sourced materials. Though simplistic, the space is luxurious thanks to its crafted touches and advanced technologies. In addition, the cabin features an available panoramic roof which visually opens the space, while passenger comfort is improved by a highly efficient heating system featuring a Lexus-first radiant heater.

From the side, the front fenders seemingly wrap around the wheels and tires, then flow rearward to express a powerful forward-moving momentum. The strong three-dimensional shape over the rear fenders emphasizes the tires’ width and communicate the dynamic performance image of DIRECT4. In addition, the flowing contrast of the doors’ sculpted shapes aims to achieve a captivating and scintillating surface.

[aerohead]

1) The 'spacious interior' is interesting.
2) It looks as if, in order to satisfy rollover and roof-crush requirements, that Toyota raised the rear hatch hinge mechanism above the roofline, creating an objectionable 'bulge', then to deceive the eye, installed the 'carrots. originally designed for non-laminar wing, transonic wave drag mitigation ( Airbus, Boeing, Convair, Fokker, etc. ), as a styling trick.
3) For torsional stiffness, it's important that, in a rollover, that the hatch remain closed, adding strength that would be lost, should the hatch come open.
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Next time you fly, sit behind the wings and look for these:
'anti-shock fairings'
'Flap track fairings'
'Whitcomb bodies'
'pods'
' Wing flap jacking-screw transmission housing'
'(Dietrich) K'u'chemann carrots'
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While the rear shelf will 'burst' longitudinally-attached vortices from below, the 'carrot' is positioned exactly where the 'top' of a vortice would initiate.
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At Cd 0.29, the RX 450e isn't any paragon of low drag, however, had the CFD and wind tunnel folks not 'played around' with the hatch area, range would have suffered even more.
I just wouldn't want to be a motorcyclist colliding with the back of the car.