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When I first saw the general shape of the C8 rear spoiler I thought, that can’t be the shape they are actually going to use. It is so different from the spoiler on the Z06. I had been thinking of a spoiler as a device where the force is from the wind pushing down. That’s the situation with the Z06 spoiler.
The downsides of the Z06 spoiler is that it generates drag because of its frontal area. The drag is like a friction that reduces top speed and decreases fuel efficiency. The sharp upper edge creates air turbulence.
When Kirk Bennion put this slide up at the Bash and explained it the light came on.
The down force is being generated at the lower surface of the wing not the top. It is being generated by negative relative pressure on the lower surface.
In an airplane wing the wind going over the curved surface creates a a force that is directed about 90 degrees away from the curved surface. Everyone knows that as lift.
If I am correct, the genius of the C8 spoiler is that it is like an upside-down airplane wing. The force created by the car moving through the air is perpendicular to the curved surface which creates a downward force. (I don’t know a term for the opposite of lift but that is what it is happening.) Because of its smooth leading and trailing surfaces, the wing shape creates a much lower drag force which means it has a lesser impact on top speed, fuel efficiency is improved and the air flow is smoother.
The deck lid spoiler that Kirk refers to in his slide is a gentle rise in the deck lid. if I am correct the rise speeds up the airflow on the underside of the wing and higher airspeed creates a larger downforce.
To me it an example of thinking out of the box to to create a elegant solution.
At the speeds I drive I doubt it would make much difference for me. For you that may be a different story.
As always, I could be wrong but it makes sense to me.
The downsides of the Z06 spoiler is that it generates drag because of its frontal area. The drag is like a friction that reduces top speed and decreases fuel efficiency. The sharp upper edge creates air turbulence.
When Kirk Bennion put this slide up at the Bash and explained it the light came on.
The down force is being generated at the lower surface of the wing not the top. It is being generated by negative relative pressure on the lower surface.
In an airplane wing the wind going over the curved surface creates a a force that is directed about 90 degrees away from the curved surface. Everyone knows that as lift.
If I am correct, the genius of the C8 spoiler is that it is like an upside-down airplane wing. The force created by the car moving through the air is perpendicular to the curved surface which creates a downward force. (I don’t know a term for the opposite of lift but that is what it is happening.) Because of its smooth leading and trailing surfaces, the wing shape creates a much lower drag force which means it has a lesser impact on top speed, fuel efficiency is improved and the air flow is smoother.
The deck lid spoiler that Kirk refers to in his slide is a gentle rise in the deck lid. if I am correct the rise speeds up the airflow on the underside of the wing and higher airspeed creates a larger downforce.
To me it an example of thinking out of the box to to create a elegant solution.
At the speeds I drive I doubt it would make much difference for me. For you that may be a different story.
As always, I could be wrong but it makes sense to me.
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