Comment by stogot
1 day ago
What is the suction useful for? The engineering blows my mind but why would someone use this? Does it help on turns?
1 day ago
What is the suction useful for? The engineering blows my mind but why would someone use this? Does it help on turns?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downforce
Yes, and at high speed, it helps make sure you don't take flight accidentally.
When you don't have enough:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e21ZjwZGjiQ
Tesla are calling this downforce but downforce is defined as downward force generated by the aerodynamic features of a car, which does not describe their system. Presumedly their “suction” system will also create drag.
Meh. The fan (which has a number of aerodynamic features within it) exhaust exerts a downward force on the car, for the same purpose.
1 reply →
It helps everywhere... turns and straights - it provides downforce without wings. Wings cause drag, that push the car down but also slow it down. So the car can be going slow and still get incredible grip. On the corners the car won't slide, so it can corner at much higher speeds too. For both these reasons, this suction system was banned by most racing leagues in the 70's for being too powerful.
It's for more traction. Not a road car, but this one does 0-100kph in just under 1s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQIu5tZ0vbQ