E-klasse Cd is only 0.24?!

[SVT_Power]

I just found out a few minutes ago. Am I the only one shocked at this or is this old news?

[sandertheshark]

Really?  The 4th-gen Pontiac Firebird (I think specifically, the Formula Firehawk) has a C_d of 0.24 and that's supposed to be the lowest of any production car ever made.  I don't see how a sedan could achieve that.

[SVT_Power]

Really?  The 4th-gen Pontiac Firebird (I think specifically, the Formula Firehawk) has a C_d of 0.24 and that's supposed to be the lowest of any production car ever made.  I don't see how a sedan could achieve that.

I think the coupe's Cd is 0.24, sedan is 0.25

Both are mighty impressive

[cawimmer430]

Yep. The E-Class sedan has 0.25 (tied with the Toyota Prius) while the coupe has 0.24. 

[sportyaccordy]

Old Lexus LS400 I think had one of .26. I know there were a few cars that got that low

Big thing is to smooth out the floor pan

[2o6]

Really?  The 4th-gen Pontiac Firebird (I think specifically, the Formula Firehawk) has a C_d of 0.24 and that's supposed to be the lowest of any production car ever made.  I don't see how a sedan could achieve that.

Actually, it's the GM EV1's 0.19 Cd.

However, this raises a question: since different and more attractive shapes can have a very low Cd, then why does the Prius and Insight look so ugly?

[SVT_Power]

Actually, it's the GM EV1's 0.19 Cd.

However, this raises a question: since different and more attractive shapes can have a very low Cd, then why does the Prius and Insight look so ugly?

the word "ugly" exists in your vocabulary? I thought you liked every single ugly-ass car...

[TBR]

Actually, it's the GM EV1's 0.19 Cd.

However, this raises a question: since different and more attractive shapes can have a very low Cd, then why does the Prius and Insight look so ugly?

Because Toyota and Honda know their market, hybrids sell best when they don't look like they could be regular cars.

[Raza]

Really?  The 4th-gen Pontiac Firebird (I think specifically, the Formula Firehawk) has a C_d of 0.24 and that's supposed to be the lowest of any production car ever made.  I don't see how a sedan could achieve that.

.24 on a car with that size of a wing?  How did the downforce not raise the drag?

[Eye of the Tiger]

.24 on a car with that size of a wing?  How did the downforce not raise the drag?

It's not a wing, it's a spoiler, and spoilers can actually reduce drag.

[MrH]

Actually, it's the GM EV1's 0.19 Cd.

However, this raises a question: since different and more attractive shapes can have a very low Cd, then why does the Prius and Insight look so ugly?

GM EV1 was not a production car.

[Raza]

It's not a wing, it's a spoiler, and spoilers can actually reduce drag.

Isn't that something? 

So, and serious question here, my car comes with something called a "wing spoiler".  What the hell does it do (other than look awesome)?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Isn't that something? 

So, and serious question here, my car comes with something called a "wing spoiler".  What the hell does it do (other than look awesome)?

   

[MX793]

Isn't that something? 

So, and serious question here, my car comes with something called a "wing spoiler".  What the hell does it do (other than look awesome)?

Generally speaking, a wing is an airfoil (aerodynamic shape that generates lift/downforce with laminar flow) and a spoiler is an aerodynamic device designed to spoil airflow (create turbulence, ruin laminar flow) in an attempt to eliminate lift.  So a "wing spoiler" is sort of an oxymoron.