All articles tagged with #aerodynamics
NASA’s Flight Research Center used variants of the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II from 1965 to the mid-1980s for a range of research, including biomedical monitoring flights with instrumented pilots (and monkeys), sonic-boom experiments near Ely, Nevada, and later spanwise blowing studies on the F-4C to probe boundary-layer control and lift, illustrating the aircraft’s versatility before returning to the U.S. Air Force.
NASA used its LAVA CFD tool to model the Artemis II Space Launch System launch environment, showing how water-sound suppression interacts with exhaust plumes and can redirect water to create localized pressure increases; the insights helped refine plume pressures and adapt the launch platform for the crewed mission, with NASA planning to release LAVA to the aerospace community for broader innovation.
With a new short-track aero package delivering roughly 750 hp and less downforce, the Goodyear 400 at Darlington is expected to produce chaotic, high-horsepower racing on the abrasive 1.366-mile track. Tire management will be crucial, as teams have only 11 tire sets for the 293-lap race, and drivers like Denny Hamlin predict wild action. The field also includes a lineup change with Alex Bowman out due to vertigo and Justin Allgaier stepping in for him at Darlington, Martinsville and Bristol.
Giant’s Propel 2026 claims an 18+ watt aero gain over the 2025 model, but most of the improvement comes from under-the-hood tweaks and a new, narrower integrated cockpit plus updated Cadex wheels/tyres. The frameset is only modestly changed (about 45 g lighter) and tyre clearance increases to 32 mm, with overall system weight savings around 355 g. The piece argues these gains are largely due to cockpit and tyre choices rather than a revolutionary frameset, and it questions whether this truly constitutes a “new bike” given the industry’s three-year development cycles.
Xiaomi previewed the Vision Gran Turismo, a radical hypercar concept focused on extreme aerodynamics and a cocoon-shaped cockpit, featuring an unusual x-wing steering wheel and magnetically mounted wheel covers to cut drag. The company says it will show more at MWC Barcelona, but details on powertrain, speed, and feasibility are still unclear, with a home gaming cockpit version teased as well.
BMW expands the M2 lineup with the M Performance Track Kit, adding a manually adjustable front splitter and rear wing, plus a motorsport-grade four-way adjustable damper setup that lowers ride height for circuit use. The aero can be configured for road or track via Street and Race modes, and the kit—which includes wheel-arch diffusers and an oil-cooler scoop—costs €23,500 in Germany (before tax) plus installation with a July launch. An optional M2 CS exhaust (€8,343) is available, and BMW notes a future-focused trajectory toward more updates (potential CSL) as production continues into mid-2029, with the M2 Racing option serving as a dedicated track machine.
A Scientific American update ranks bicycles as the most energy-efficient form of transport on Earth, due to biomechanics that maximize propulsion while minimizing gravity and friction; advances like aero-focused designs and e-bike assistance could push efficiency even further (e.g., recumbent velomobiles).
This piece catalogs ten cars noted for notably poor aerodynamics, listing their drag coefficients (0.4–1.05 Cd) and explaining how design choices—ranging from early brick-like shapes to modern high-downforce track cars—made them wind-inefficient. Examples span the Ford Model T (0.79 Cd) and Mercedes Simplex (1.05 Cd) to the Plymouth Prowler (0.49 Cd), Citroën 2CV (0.52 Cd), VW Beetle variants (0.48–0.40 Cd), Dodge Viper ACR (0.541 Cd), Caterham Seven (0.60 Cd), and others, noting data limits and exclusions (no SUVs/trucks) and highlighting aero evolution toward contemporary efficiency.
Ford is pursuing a low-cost, high-efficiency electric-vehicle strategy by building a universal platform, retrimming parts, and adopting Formula 1–style aerodynamics. A California skunkworks team led by ex-Tesla engineer Alan Clarke is simplifying the vehicle, using two aluminum castings for the body, a compact in-house electrical architecture, and a Michigan-made LFP battery from CATL to cut cost and weight. Aerodynamic tweaks—such as teardrop rooflines and smoother underbody—are expected to add range and efficiency, with a $30,000 mid-size pickup due in 2027 as the first test of the approach to outcompete cheaper Chinese EVs. The project marks a major shift after Ford’s prior EV setbacks.
Ford is pivoting from costly, oversized EVs like the F-150 Lightning to a family of affordable electric vehicles built on a Universal EV Platform (UEV), led by a Silicon Valley skunkworks team. The plan focuses on efficiency and cost, using a bounty system to quantify micro-optimizations (weight, drag, etc.), adopting lighter aluminum components, cheaper lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) batteries, and a zonal architecture with an integrated E‑Box to cut wiring and parts. Ford aims for a $30,000 midsize EV in 2027 and is moving toward mass production with tighter supply‑chain control, even if it means 400‑volt systems over the faster 800‑volt setups to maintain flexibility and battery compatibility.
Rivian says the R2's rear wiper is tucked into a recessed tailgate pocket to avoid aerodynamic penalties, a move that adds about six miles of range. The design also supports a roll-down rear window, a drainage path to vent water, a heating element to prevent ice, and software that raises the wiper in advance of bad weather—showing the level of aerodynamic optimization Rivian pursued for the R2.
Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Cadillac ran the first 2026 pre-season tests, with Hamilton and Leclerc combining for 170 laps as teams focus on mileage and tyre understanding under the new rules. Piastri’s McLaren day ended early due to a fuel-system issue after 48 laps, while Mercedes’ George Russell and Kimi Antonelli posted the fastest times and clocked 168 laps on their final day; Red Bull were delayed awaiting spare parts. Two more Bahrain tests run 11-13 and 18-20 February precede the season-opening Australian GP, with officials noting that lap times aren’t directly comparable due to different programmes.
Around half the F1 grid tested the new 2026 cars at Barcelona, with seven teams on track and no official lap times; drivers described a radical shift in aerodynamics and power units toward more electric power, noting driving the cars is different and at times complex, though Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli praised their drivability. Esteban Ocon warned of a very complicated cockpit workload, while early pace was unofficially led by Isack Hadjar for Red Bull; the test emphasises reliability as teams adapt ahead of further running with McLaren and Ferrari joining.
Ford introduces the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC Coupe as a track-focused bridge between the standard Dark Horse and Ford’s GTD/GT3 programs, featuring a supercharged 5.2L V8 with a seven-speed dual-clutch, reworked MagneRide suspension, five-level variable traction control, aero borrowed from GTD including an aluminum hood and rear ducktail, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and optional Track Pack with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 R tires and carbon-fiber wheels. The interior remains driver-centric with a flat-bottom wheel, Recaro seats, Alcantara/Dinamica accents, and rear-seat removal for weight reduction. Slated for summer availability, the SC emphasizes engineering depth and motorsport lineage over marketing spectacle.
Ford Racing has announced an evolutionary upgrade to the Mustang GT3, focusing on aerodynamics, kinematics, and braking to enhance performance and stability across various tracks, with improvements tested at Daytona and Sebring, aiming for continued success in global racing.