An Active Aerodynamics Concept for Automotive Design
Understanding State-of-the-Art and Proposing an Experiment
Quick & Dirty Active Aero: Past, Present & Future
The following three cars are provided as examples, so please understand there are many other makes and models employing variations of some of these concepts. However, these three do have pretty profoundly obvious Active Aero bits to check out. Here goes!
The Chapparral 2E
Using multiple tactics, the most obvious is the large wing that can adjust and act as downforce in the corners, then flatten out to reduce drag at high speed.
Have a look at the Chapparral Cars entry at Wikipedia for details!
The Pagani Huayra
An unquestionably gorgeous and slippery machine. It’s a whole next level of class and refinement from the Zonda, at least according to what I can tell via computer screen images and videos, TV show reviews, and my two eyes. What fascinates me is how the Huayra so seamlessly integrated speed brake flaps into functional elements while still being aesthetically pleasing.
Kind of reminds me of watching raptor birds, how they are agile and then can use precision bits to be exceptionally high performance.
The Lamborghini Huracan Performante (Prototype)
So I think the headlines and teasers about this car were a little off. They inferred that the “wing” had something special regarding Active Aero, part of an innovation by Lamborghini. When the photos could be seen up close from the Automobile article, it’s a little different than that — more like some ducts on the tail. Maybe sort of thrust-vectoring with downforce in mind? See:
Definitely cool! Would I call that a wing innovation in Active Aero? Eh maybe? It seems like a Ducting thing. If it works, it works, cool, can’t wait to see more of it eventually.
Show Us Something Worth Looking At
Growing up around Aviation, I absorbed quite a bit of love and respect for the Engineers and Materials Scientists that make things possible. Achievements like the SR-71 are a monument to Talent, Creativity, Effort, Science, and, let’s be honest, Pants-Crapping-Cold-War-Fear. My passion for Automobiles — specifically top flight machinery — overlaps with Aviation frequently.
So why hadn’t I seen Vertical Stabilizers + Rudders yet?
Really! Consider how advanced Composites and Tires are in 2017 at the highest levels of racing, like Le Mans and Formula 1. The forces that can be addressed are epic. Maybe even on the brink of testing the limits of Human Drivers? Time will tell, and I think this is an Experiment:
Vertical Stabilizers + Rudders as a New Feature
The Profile should give an indication of the hypothetical location — it’s a Design choice to show the Concept in an exaggerated, but intuitive, method.
From that, I went ahead and worked through a few “Draw a Le Mans Car” Tutorial Images. Over and over. Aiming to be Realistic, using the existing Artwork hopefully in a Fair Use manner (kind of on the line I think), but happy with how they get the Concept into a Design to share:
One of my reasons to use existing Le Mans Prototype designs was to consider the possibility of a skilled Engineer to CAD/Model and Wind Tunnel Simulate whether or not there’s any significant line of inquiry. Adjust a little here or there type of positioning, size, finding desirable characteristics if they exist.
Looking Ahead at AMG and Aston Martin/Red Bull
Seriously, look and try not to drool in anticipation at what these teams are throwing together behind closed doors:
Not to get too carried away with my Design Concepts, but I can embrace some Modular-type approaches. The Aston Martin really shows off distinct sectors, lots of Aerodynamic channeling. I tried to do a Cut-Away type layering on a notecard:
What can I say — the P-38 Lightning is my kind of plane. It proved itself at its Mission. And it looked fantastic while doing it.
Post-Script
This year I’m entering the Nicholl Fellowship for Screenwriting, but also trying to work predominately on re-learning Programming. The point is that I’m not supposed to be working on Screenplays instead of Code. I’ve still got a couple Feature Film ideas though — possible TV/Streaming Mini-Series instead if that fits— that I’m enjoying plotting. Never know, right?
One of them is about the SR-71. The Blackbird. It’s a Story with Brilliant Characters and Epic Science. One of these days, one of these days…
