Tag Archives: aerodynamics

Car Accessories

Do Rear Spoilers Really Make A Difference In Downforce?

Aerodynamics is the science of how air flows around an object, especially when that object is in motion. Why is it important in the automotive world? Because wind resistance can heavily affect a car’s acceleration, handling, and fuel economy. Ideally, you’d want to design a car that allows air to flow along its curves and edges as smoothly as butter, to minimize wind resistance. With that in mind, rear spoilers are meant to do two critical things: increase downforce and reduce drag.

Tire grip and traction are critical factors in a car’s handling. Especially for performance-oriented cars, you need to create more downforce to keep the tire securely stuck to the tarmac. The easy solution is to add more weight to the car to prevent it from sliding away at high speeds. However, added weight directly affects the car’s acceleration and sabotages the handling in other ways. Instead, engineers have come up with spoilers to take care of downforce at high speeds.

A spoiler creates a surface that redirects the wind. As the wind hits the surface and goes up, the spoiler pushes down on the car; this is Newton’s third law of motion. The faster the car goes, the more noticeable the effects of a rear spoiler will be. For example, the McLaren Senna GTR’s massive rear wing is a chief instance of a well-engineered aerodynamic piece that creates a lot of downforce.

Moreover, spoilers are used to scale back drag. Drag is air’s pure resistance towards an object in movement. Rear spoilers enable vehicles to chop by means of drag and scale back the turbulence that comes with it.

Motorsport

The AVT Was BMW’s Version Of the Volkswagen XL1, 32 Years Earlier

Vehicle aerodynamics are as essential as ever. As electrical autos turn out to be a extra good portion of recent vehicles obtainable, automakers try to make them as slippery as doable to maximise their vary. Companies have been engaged on lowering drag coefficients for many years. The AVT idea was BMW’s effort to point out off a extra aerodynamic exterior all the best way again in 1981.

BMW Head of Design Domagoj Dukec went digging by means of the model’s archives and got here up with these seldom-seen pictures of the AVT for an Instagram put up. He calls it “one of the most mysterious concept cars in the history of BMW.” According to Dukec, the corporate constructed it to have one thing thrilling to point out on the model’s new wind tunnel on the time.

 

AVT stands for Aerodynamischer Versuchsträger, which interprets from German as aerodynamic check car. Being a design buck, there was no drivetrain or inside. It was merely a sculpture for wind tunnel testing.

The design contains a low-slung nostril that flows to the windshield in a clear arc. A tiny model of BMW’s trademark kidney grilles may very well be discovered on the tip of the entrance finish. Pop-up headlights hold the hood wanting clean. 

Covers conceal the entrance wheels to maintain the perimeters aerodynamic. There are flowing flanks that result in wider rear fenders with fairings over them. Since there is no inside, it is unclear how the doorways would open, however gullwing hinges look like the most probably structure.

The rear contains a Kammback tail the place the again slopes downward after which cuts off vertically. This kind of styling reduces drag, which is the entire level of the AVT idea.

Dukec’s put up can be fascinating as a result of it contains each sketches and pictures of the AVT. The automobile modified little within the transition from drawings to a three-dimensional mannequin. The little vents within the decrease entrance fascia and the NACA ducts forward of the rear fenders did not make it to the real-world design.

1981 BMW AVT Concept

1981 BMW AVT Concept

2015 VW XL1 For Sale

Volkswagen XL1

The BMW’s form has some similarities to the Volkswagen XL1. They share components like clean styling and fairings over the rear wheels. If you are designing a car to maximise its aerodynamics that is the silhouette for attaining that. Unlike the AVT, the XL1 had a restricted manufacturing run, with deliveries beginning in 2014.

We reached out to BMW to search out out the destiny of the AVT at this time. A spokesperson advised Motor1 that “usually, once non-running concepts like this have made the auto show circuit, they are either put into long-term storage or destroyed.” We expect to find out the destiny of the AVT. We’ll make sure to replace this text if we discover out extra.

Motorsport

Bentley Celebrates Sweet Success With Special Edition Honey

In the automotive trade, the race typically goes past horsepower and aerodynamics. Automakers are increasing their horizons, delving into surprising territories that transcend the roar of engines. Bentley, famend for its opulent vehicles, has taken a singular detour by coming into the world of honey manufacturing, proving that luxurious extends past the realm of vehicles.

Bentley‘s journey into the world of bees started with the institution of the Excellence Centre for Honey Production at its headquarters in Crewe. This initiative, a part of Bentley’s formidable Beyond100 technique, goals to boost environmental sustainability on the Pyms Lane facility. The heart, now buzzing with exercise, boasts 17 hives and homes over a million bees.


Motorsport

The Claim of Being the Most Aerodynamic Car Ever Is Not Accurate

In the automotive industry, aerodynamics play a crucial role, especially in the era of electric vehicles. Efficient aerodynamics impact a vehicle’s energy efficiency, which is particularly important for EVs. A streamlined design reduces drag, allowing electric cars to overcome resistance more easily and travel longer distances on a single charge.

Chery, a Chinese automaker, claims that its latest electric concept, the Aero prototype, is the most aerodynamically optimized car in the world with a drag coefficient of 0.168. However, this claim is far from accurate. The details about the concept are limited, but Chery explains that it drew inspiration from tuna fish for the overall design and conducted over 2,000 optimization cases to achieve perfect aerodynamic lines. The claimed drag coefficient has not been independently verified.

While a drag coefficient of 0.168 is impressive, it is not the lowest ever achieved in the automotive industry. In the 1970s, the Volkswagen ARVW concept achieved a drag coefficient of 0.15. The Ford Probe V concept from 1985 had a wind resistance of 0.137, and the Fiat Turbina from 1954 had 0.14. Furthermore, the Lightyear 0, a more modern car, had a drag coefficient of 0.175. Therefore, Chery’s claim falls short compared to these achievements.

It is worth noting that Chery Automotive is a Chinese manufacturer established in 1997. Initially known for producing economical and affordable compact cars, Chery has expanded its focus to include innovation and research and development. The company has also entered the electric vehicle market and has partnerships and assembly plants in several countries.

Motorsport

Toyota Develops New Technology to Improve Serviceability of Trucks with Active Aero

Active aerodynamics are a revolutionary technology that enables vehicles to dynamically adjust their interaction with the surrounding air. Toyota has recently obtained a patent for an innovative system designed to enhance the effectiveness of these active aero systems.

One of the challenges faced by automakers when implementing active aero technologies is the need to accommodate important vehicle components, such as the engine oil pan. To ensure optimal performance, manufacturers often have to modify the shape of the movable elements to navigate around these critical areas. Unfortunately, this can compromise the overall effectiveness of the active aero system.


News

2026 Lotus Type 135: Electric Elise still in works after Alpine split

Lotus is continuing its legacy of excellence in dynamics, aerodynamics, and lightweighting with the upcoming release of the Type 135, an all-electric sports car. Although it will have a different propulsion system, Lotus aims to maintain its signature qualities while also benefiting from features like instant torque, easier cooling, and better packaging. As a result, the Type 135 will offer ample storage and packaging benefits.

The E-Sports platform, which will underpin the Type 135, will support both single- and twin-motor powertrains. The power output is expected to range from 469bhp to 872bhp, offering significantly more power than the current Elise models. The higher-powered versions of the Type 135 could even fill the gap left by the track-focused Exige.

The E-Sports platform is designed to accommodate both rear- and four-wheel-drive powertrains. Although the showcased concepts have so far featured rear-mounted drive systems, Lotus remains open to the possibility of offering a torque-vectoring setup similar to the one found in the flagship Evija. As a result, certain defining features from the Evija may find their way into future Lotus sports cars.

Lotus is also focused on making the Type 135 as aerodynamically efficient as possible. Taking inspiration from the Venturi tunnels of the Evija, the car will feature aerodynamic aids that run throughout its design. This design approach takes advantage of the compact nature of an electric drivetrain. However, while the Type 135 will have similarities to the hypercar, it will be far more accessible and affordable.

Lotus plans to leverage the efficiencies within the broader Geely group, which includes Volvo, Polestar, Lynk&Co, and LEVC, to keep development and retail costs down. By utilizing components and systems from other brands, Lotus aims to deliver affordable performance. While it may not be possible to offer the Type 135 at the same price as the entry-level Elise, the cost of necessary materials and components is expected to decrease significantly. This could potentially position the Type 135 in the price range of the retired Exige line-up, estimated to be between £80,000 and £100,000.