Looks can be deceiving

[Peakster]

This car doesn't look very aerodynamic, but it has a Cd of only 0.212!

So basically I just have to mod my Geo to look like this for low drag?
What exactly makes this car more aerodynamic than say a Prius?

[Silveredwings]

Interesting. For starters, I'd say the well rounded nose, recessed door handles, no mirrors, and wheel pants.

[Peakster]

I would have thought that a vehicle's nose was supposed to angle back sharply for best aerodynamics. That car's windshield isn't angled back much either. What about those huge wheel arches on the front? Are they making the aerodynamics better or worse? Also note that the front wheel doesn't have a wheelcover/hubcap on it.

In comparison, check out this Lamborghini: It has a Cd of 0.42!

[cfg83]

Peakster -

Originally Posted by Peakster

This car doesn't look very aerodynamic, but it has a Cd of only 0.212!

(picture of Tatra T77a)

So basically I just have to mod my Geo to look like this for low drag?
What exactly makes this car more aerodynamic than say a Prius?

I went here :

http://tatraportal.com/tatraklub/

And found the Tatra T77 :

http://tatraportal.com/tatraklub/t77.htm

Here's the magic picture :



Basically, it's an early version of basjoos Honda VX!!! :



PS - Notice how the side view of the Tatra T77 looks like a VW Beetle? Hrmmmmmmm ...

CarloSW2

[onegammyleg]

Originally Posted by Peakster

In comparison, check out this Lamborghini: It has a Cd of 0.42!

It is well known that the Lamborgininihimini has a poor Cd ..as do many other similar shaped supercars..(Many Ferarris suk)

[onegammyleg]

Originally Posted by theclencher

The Countach probably doesn't have any attached airflow!

Maybe not , but the attached chicks make up for it.

[JanGeo]

The Lam has a big wiper that is right in the major windshield air flow and although the cd is poor it also has a very small frontal area which helps a lot more than a low cd. The front lower scoop can't help too much either and the rear wing is a real killer.

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by JanGeo

The Lam has a big wiper that is right in the major windshield air flow and although the cd is poor it also has a very small frontal area which helps a lot more than a low cd. The front lower scoop can't help too much either and the rear wing is a real killer.

I think cars like the Lambo are all about the downforce, which of course means a large induced drag.

[Spule 4]

The streamlined Tatras are interesting cars, and with the large rear motors, can be fun to drive, imagine a 1948 Packard - VW bug mix. I drove a friend's 603 once, it had a mix of bias and radial tires at the time, NOT fun.

Hans Ledwinka worked with Ferdinand Porsche briefly during the VW development days, and Hans' son went on to work wtih Steyr Puch to build the infamous Pinzgauer offroad trucks. They are fun too, and better (IMO) than a petrol Unimog (driven both).

[onegammyleg]

Maybe the Tatra wasnt as good as first thought.

http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/...amlining02.htm

¨...., culminating in the Type 87. This model was produced from 1936 to 1950, throughout the war, in small numbers. Its Cd was measured in the VW wind tunnel in 1979 and found to be 0.36¨