Cd for Volkwagen XL1
Cd for Volkwagen XL1
(OP)
So VW XL1 is claimed to have the lowest coefficient of drag in the world. Is it the rear wheel skirt that makes it so aerodynamic? And how much of significance does Cd have in aerodynamics ?I have attached the pic below








RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
Volkswagen?
The "truth in engineering" company?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
"And how much of significance does Cd have in aerodynamics ?"
It defines the aerodynamics -- 1/2 Cd V^2
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
homework forum: //www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
I suspect it's also got a smooth underside to cut turbulence there and it looks like the front wheels fit the wells pretty closely, like pack-with-snow and break something in the winter kind of close.
Lack of outside mirrors helps as well.
There is probably only a small radiator to force air through due to the tiny motor/power output
If skirts would work than a Buick Electra 225 would have been low-drag.
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
Just a couple of other points - firstly there is a big difference in Cd as measured in different tunnels, and even in Cd measured in the same tunnel using different company's procedures and software.
Secondly 0.189 is a fine achievement for a production (ish) car, but the EV1 was there, years ago. If you can accept a car shaped thing with taped doors and no internal ventilation and no wipers and narrow tires etc etc etc then 0.13 is probably a lower bound. If you can accept many other shape compromises and a laminar flow shape then you might get down to 0.07, basically skin friction+inertia recovery drag from the laminar flow section.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
homework forum: //www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
--
JHG
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
homework forum: //www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
drag is important for fuel burn ... though I wonder if we'd be better off attacking the other side of the equation ... make a more efficient power source?
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
no need for that; we just need to make the auto suppliers cough up their 150 mpg carburetors...
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
homework forum: //www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
----------------------------------------
The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
Also - just kidding; please don't flag unless there's no humor left at all.
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
Steve
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1
----------------------------------------
The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.
RE: Cd for Volkwagen XL1