peccles

There's been alot of speculation/rumor on the new engine(s)
and their power ratings for the C6 but has anyone heard
what the Cd they are hoping to get? Less than .30?

Paul Eccles
'00 Nassau Blue FRC

BradJ

The current C5 coupe beats a Cd of 0.30 at 0.29.
I sense that the somewhat conservative styling of the current C5 that allows for such a functional design will give way to a slighly more radical, less aerodynamic shape.
Just a guess...

ShanMan14

The C5 Coupe has one of the best CD of any production car. I'd like to see the C6 maintain or beat it.

myruby2

You're thinking backwards. Better aerodynamics comes from more radical design.
IMHO GM will never allow a Vette to go with less then the model before it.


[Modified by myruby2, 10:30 PM 10/2/2001]

PylonBoy

ok, why don't they use the EV1 for the corvette then. CG of .19


Drag coefficient is so overrated. It doesn't matter that much.

Scissors

Except when you're trying to hit your top speed. Try doing this with your windows up and then try it again with your windows down, lights up, and top off (if in a coupe.)

scorp508

:confused:

Um yes.... yes it does. Combine low CD with high HP and proper gears and you're off like a bat outta hell. :D

BradJ

You're thinking backwards. Better aerodynamics comes from more radical design.

Do you really think so? Most of the cars that I consider "radical" by design seem to have relatively high drags. The 360 Modena that was wind tunnel tested extensively has a Cd of .34. The Testarossa slices along at .36.
I think if you look at the list of the most aerodynamic production cars, they tend to be the least "radical" by design:

0.137 1986 Ford Probe V Concept car
0.19 1996 GM EV1 Electric car
0.25 1999 Honda Insight Hybrid car
0.25 2000 Lexus LS430 --
0.25 2000 Audi A2 "3-litre" --
0.26 1989 Opel Calibra 2.0i base model
0.26 2000 Mercedes C180 --
0.27 1996 Mercedes E230 --
0.27 1997 VW Passat --
0.27 1997 Lexus LS400 --
0.27 1998 BMW 318i --
0.27 2000 Mercedes C-class

Not very radical...

[Modified by myruby2, 10:30 PM 10/2/2001][/QUOTE]

JohnC

There are other important factors, in addition to Cd. For example, Frontal area, and Lift.

Here's Honda's philosophy when designing the NSX, which I found interesting. It's mostly marketing speak, but there is some good info.
http://www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/press/tidh/tidh-14.htm

myruby2

YES!

You don't think an EV1 is radical??? I didn't say good CD was going to be pretty. But it sure would be radical. You're must be thinking radical cool. Everything is a trade off. The best CD isn't going to look very good. Or fit people. Or big V8s. Or big tires to make it stick when you hit the go fast pedal. Or be marketable. The trick is to lower CD, make it look like a Vette and be affordable. {Vette = affordable???} No one here wants a Vette that looks like a EV1. A Testarossa!!!{LOL} Look how old that thing is. It doesn't even look like it has good CD buy today’s standards. Almost every other car you mention is newer than a C5. Don't forget the C5 was designed several years before it's 97 debut. I hope GM learned a little in the last seven years. I hope…. I hope….
I hope…. I hope…. I hope….

Not a disagreement. Just my humble opinion. The new Vette will have better CD. Maybe not much.

I’ll bet there is some engineer reading this right now that knows the real answer the original question. Right down to the fifth decimal point. Hmmm.

kewlbrz

The C5 was developed and made at just the right time for styling and Cd to combine.

The trend with the C6 would seem to go towards a more modular, anti-cd shape. Given the rumors of what it will look like.

but who knows.... should be interesting.

PylonBoy

at lower speeds where most people drive it doesn't matter. sure, at 100+ it makes a hell of a difference, but I don't see how people are like "I only drive my car on the street, but I want the car to be better in every way so I can have a vastly superior car that I will never even get close to it's limits"

I see no point in them wanting a lower Cd. But the road racer, sure.

scorp508

So...


...from what I read I should be able to screw a sheet of plywood on the front of my car, cut a slot in it so that I can see, and then drive around and it will make no difference? My MPG will stay the same on the highway? Wind won't affect my car any different?

Excellent..... now I can protect my car from all those nasty rock chips.

PylonBoy

You forgot about the headlamp holes too :D

Obviously that will make more of a difference, but as far as making it a big issue that it has to be lower than the C5's is absurd. I guess I should have stated it a little differently earlier. I don't think it has to be better, but around the current Cd. I doub't we would see a noticable difference from Cd of .29 to .31 or so except at those higher speeds.

Back to the board, it probably wouldn't look to good either.

scorp508

Who needs lights? RAMMING SPEED, Sulu!!!! :jester