RE: Spoiler alert: PH Blog
Discussion
0llie said:
I may be alone on this one, but I really don't like the Carrera GT spoiler when it's raised. When lowered, it is one of the purest, most exciting cars to look at (IMHO of course). In saying that however, I can safely say it needs it at speed!
My boss has one, and constantly insists on leaving it up when parked, he thinks it transforms the look of the car. Fair enough
I was just coming on to say I've always thought the Carrera GT and Veyron look better with their spoilers up.My boss has one, and constantly insists on leaving it up when parked, he thinks it transforms the look of the car. Fair enough
Think generally the ugly examples far outweigh the good, although as has been said, it's function over form (you would hope).
George29 said:
BaronVonVaderham said:
Spoilers for show, diffusers for a pro 
It must give a lot of downforce with all that ground clearance below it."Clio Renaultsport 200 is also equipped with an air diffuser, an aerodynamic feature normally only found on high-end sporting cars. Air passing underneath the vehicle is channelled via the flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expelled at a higher speed. Combined with the shape of the diffuser, this creates a zone of depression under the car, sucking the chassis to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate significant downforce without resisting forward movement. On a track, at 80mph, lift is reduced by almost 40kg. The diffuser is designed to function in association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and lateral-mounted tailpipes."
From the press release.
Silly article about one mans opinion with little or no technical support or background.
If we didn't have retractable spoilers, all sports cars would have a tail lip like the Lotus Elise was forced to have. Personally I like that look, but other people prefer the cleaner lines of something like an AC Cobra, designed before wind tunnels. An active aerodynamic feature on a car, be it at the front, underneath, or on the top of the boot, allows cars to look sleak and majestic, but still be safe at high speed. Not much of a sacrifice for high speed safety if you ask me.
If we didn't have retractable spoilers, all sports cars would have a tail lip like the Lotus Elise was forced to have. Personally I like that look, but other people prefer the cleaner lines of something like an AC Cobra, designed before wind tunnels. An active aerodynamic feature on a car, be it at the front, underneath, or on the top of the boot, allows cars to look sleak and majestic, but still be safe at high speed. Not much of a sacrifice for high speed safety if you ask me.
BaronVonVaderham said:
Bad angle of photo, not helped by slope but yes it does:
"Clio Renaultsport 200 is also equipped with an air diffuser, an aerodynamic feature normally only found on high-end sporting cars. Air passing underneath the vehicle is channelled via the flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expelled at a higher speed. Combined with the shape of the diffuser, this creates a zone of depression under the car, sucking the chassis to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate significant downforce without resisting forward movement. On a track, at 80mph, lift is reduced by almost 40kg. The diffuser is designed to function in association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and lateral-mounted tailpipes."
From the press release.
I cut a big hole in the diffuser of my S3 so I could fit a towbar. I have noticed no difference, even at 150mph. I reckon it's a load of marketing b"Clio Renaultsport 200 is also equipped with an air diffuser, an aerodynamic feature normally only found on high-end sporting cars. Air passing underneath the vehicle is channelled via the flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expelled at a higher speed. Combined with the shape of the diffuser, this creates a zone of depression under the car, sucking the chassis to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate significant downforce without resisting forward movement. On a track, at 80mph, lift is reduced by almost 40kg. The diffuser is designed to function in association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and lateral-mounted tailpipes."
From the press release.
ks.BaronVonVaderham said:
Bad angle of photo, not helped by slope but yes it does:
"Clio Renaultsport 200 is also equipped with an air diffuser, an aerodynamic feature normally only found on high-end sporting cars. Air passing underneath the vehicle is channelled via the flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expelled at a higher speed. Combined with the shape of the diffuser, this creates a zone of depression under the car, sucking the chassis to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate significant downforce without resisting forward movement. On a track, at 80mph, lift is reduced by almost 40kg. The diffuser is designed to function in association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and lateral-mounted tailpipes."
From the press release.
And you believe that? "Clio Renaultsport 200 is also equipped with an air diffuser, an aerodynamic feature normally only found on high-end sporting cars. Air passing underneath the vehicle is channelled via the flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expelled at a higher speed. Combined with the shape of the diffuser, this creates a zone of depression under the car, sucking the chassis to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate significant downforce without resisting forward movement. On a track, at 80mph, lift is reduced by almost 40kg. The diffuser is designed to function in association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and lateral-mounted tailpipes."
From the press release.
Monty Python said:
Captain Muppet said:
Try holding a plank sideways out of a car window at 70mph. The forces are non-trivial.
Although nothing that a careful driver wouldn't be able to live without.
Mat777 is a failed aerodynamics student, he should have an interesting view on this.
IIRC the rear spoiler on the Escort Cosworth generated 20kg of downforce at 70mph - you could get more than than by getting someone to sit in the back seat.Although nothing that a careful driver wouldn't be able to live without.
Mat777 is a failed aerodynamics student, he should have an interesting view on this.
Whereas 20kg of stuff in your boot instead could leave you with less grip at high speed, as well as making your car fractionally worse any time you change speed or direction.
Plus, obviously, marketing.
George29 said:
BaronVonVaderham said:
Maybe the Audi one is just for show then?
Exactly like the Clio one is. On normal road cars they're just too high off the ground to have any real effect.
As for marketing - it worked on me!
The 197 was one of the first road cars to have a diffuser, now even 4x4s are sporting things like this:
BaronVonVaderham said:
Bad angle of photo, not helped by slope but yes it does:
"Clio Renaultsport 200 is also equipped with an air diffuser, an aerodynamic feature normally only found on high-end sporting cars. Air passing underneath the vehicle is channelled via the flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expelled at a higher speed. Combined with the shape of the diffuser, this creates a zone of depression under the car, sucking the chassis to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate significant downforce without resisting forward movement. On a track, at 80mph, lift is reduced by almost 40kg. The diffuser is designed to function in association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and lateral-mounted tailpipes."
From the press release.
I don't think making technical conclusions from press releases is advisable "Clio Renaultsport 200 is also equipped with an air diffuser, an aerodynamic feature normally only found on high-end sporting cars. Air passing underneath the vehicle is channelled via the flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expelled at a higher speed. Combined with the shape of the diffuser, this creates a zone of depression under the car, sucking the chassis to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate significant downforce without resisting forward movement. On a track, at 80mph, lift is reduced by almost 40kg. The diffuser is designed to function in association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and lateral-mounted tailpipes."
From the press release.
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