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Yes. They identify which cars the traffic police should keep a close eye on.....
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The problem lies in making a direct comparison between the same car with and without, something we in the BR are going to find difficult.
What is interesting was that in the previous model 5 series, the \"sport\" version had redesigned front aerodynamics and a rear lip spoiler on the boot lid. The latter could be deleted on request, suggesting that it had little if any effect.
Whether the front spoiler had an effect is difficult to say. However, I do remember that one of my early impressions of my 530i Sport was that, at speed, the steering response was much more precise than the unspoilered 323i that preceded it. That is by no means conclusive but would suggest that there is some effect.
Interestingly (well, maybe), Porsche provide a pop-up spoiler on the 911 Carrera models that only extends above 75mph \"when needed\" and retracts at other times, allegedly to maintain the correct aesthetic effect. You can replace it with a fixed version but you can\'t delete it.
Of course, as it only extends above 75mph, we won\'t see any extended 911 spoilers in this country ;-)
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Porsche provide a p***** spoiler
This originally read p o p - u p but was not intended to refer to the recent activities of the Volvo advertising department so I feel happy that in re-instating it I will not cause offence!
{Have now edited the omited pop-up word that the swearfilter got hold of. DD}
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I understand that the spoiler was 'invented' by Colin Chapman of Lotus fame. Looking out of the window of an aeroplane, he thought of turning it upside down to create downforce instead of lift.
I think front spoilers/air splitters definitely work at reasonable speeds as they stop air getting under the car and lifting it up. The Lotus Elise even has a totally flat underside so that air doesn't 'build up' underneath.
Rear spoilers are a mixed bag. I'm in no doubt that on nearly any racing car you care to mention they do work. On many road cars they don't do much. Either because they're designed for show or the drivers never get to situations where a spoiler's called for.
On others, such as the 911 and yes the TT, they do increase downforce and rear wheel traction. To think that you can make a spoiler for your Nova or whatever is laughable. Unless these chaps have got wind tunnels and have mastered aerodynamic/ suspension set ups. And if that were the case, they'd be able to walk wthout dragging their knuckles.
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I remember a friend had a booted Rover 800 with a huge factory fit spoiler on the bootlid. Problem was that the boot struts literally couldn't support it so everytime he went into the boot, he had to get someone else to hold it open for him!
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Which may say more about Rover (in those days) than spoilers?
Of course, if he drove off the massive downforce presumably slammed the boot shut for him?
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Well, they sure work for those who manufacture them. ££££££!!
..........................................................
"Rude, crude and socially unacceptable"
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Big business indeed - especially amongst our local cap-on-backwards brigade. For more, look here:
www.autostyle.co.za/hispeed/hispeed_html/other_15....m
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Interestingly (well, maybe), Porsche provide a pop-up spoiler on the 911 Carrera models that only extends above 75mph \"when needed\" and retracts Of course, as it only extends above 75mph, we won\'t see any extended 911 spoilers in this country ;-)
If I recall correctly Porche recalibrated the spoiler lift system so that it deployed at under 70 mph just for the UK market so that one could pose within the law.
I have certainly seen them deployed at legal speeds.
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>> >> Interestingly (well, maybe), Porsche provide a pop-up spoiler on the 911 >> Carrera models that only extends above 75mph \"when needed\" and retracts >> Of course, as it only extends above 75mph, we won\'t see >> any extended 911 spoilers in this country ;-) >> If I recall correctly Porche recalibrated the spoiler lift system so that it deployed at under 70 mph just for the UK market so that one could pose within the law. I have certainly seen them deployed at legal speeds.
IIRC, there\'s actually a button in the cockpit for deploying it, not too obviously posy then...
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Changing course slightly, does anyone know the purpose of wiper spoilers? Do they force the wiper against the screen, thus making clear water more effectively or do they improve the car's aerodynamics? I notice that spolier wiper blades cost more than standard blades of the same size; could it be that their real purpose is to make more money for manufacturers?
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They are there just to push the wipers onto the screen as at speed they have a tendancy to lift.
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I think you mean the spoiler`s for window wipers.if put on the wrong way round will lift wipers away from screen.Hence your prob? correct me if wrong.?
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If I recall correctly Porche recalibrated the spoiler lift system so that it deployed at under 70 mph just for the UK market so that one could pose within the law. I have certainly seen them deployed at legal speeds.
The advice from dealers and in the owner's handbook is that it goes up at 75. Once up, it only comes down once you slow to 40 or so, thus there is a good chance of seeing them deployed at legal speeds.
Its just a bit of an obvious giveaway that you've been over 75, which is (I suspect) why:
there's actually a button in the cockpit for deploying it,
the problem being that the button concerned is in the footwell so its a bit difficult to claim that it got knocked accidentally (officer)
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I also thought that they spoiled or disturbed the air behind the car in an attempt to break the vacuum effect of the void behind the boot. Thereby also reducing drag, whereas the downforce benefits are negligible given the (reltively) slow speed, unlike an F1 car.
Stu.
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Technically the device on cars is an aerofoil (inverted to provide downward force at speed). The \"spoilers\" on an aircraft are designed to be deployed on touchdown to \"spoil\" lift from the wing. Immediately on touchdown, a plane is typically still travelling at some margin above it\'s minimum flying speed so the wing is still developing substantial lift.
To decelerate the aircraft and improve traction with the runway, the spoilers pop up destroying the aerodynamics of the wing thus killing the lift.
> Porsche .. there\'s actually a button in the cockpit for deploying it, not too obviously posy then...
I was told by the dealer that was for cleaning purposes. As it is a small button tucked away in the footwell, I wouldn\'t like to have risked deploying it for pose value!
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Older 911s ie aircooled up to 1997 have the spoiler popup at about 55mph and only retract at about 4mph, as well as providing stability at speed it increases airflow round the engine to aid cooling, the handbook advises not to drive over 60mph if the spoiler fails to come up to avoid overheating the engine. The newer cars being watercooled only need the spoiler for stability purposes.
Andy
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Thnx Brill - that would explain the whirling dust cloud effect and the filthy light clusters!
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My wifes' last Matiz did not have a spoiler - the current one has a spoiler.
I can't honestly say it affects the handling :)
Matt35.
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Sometimes they perform a task other than providing grip. Didn't the original jelly mould Sierra get some aerodynamic bits to prevent lateral movement in gusting wind? Or it can reduce wind noise. So you wouldn't ALWAYS notice a difference.
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You're right smokie, early models, due to their aerodynamic shape, were prone to becoming unstable in crosswinds. Small strips were fitted i think down the sides of the rear window, which had the effect of "spoiling" the airflow in a cross wind, preventing the generation of lift.
Also, the Rover 25 has a small spoiler on the top of the rear window, as apparently the angle of the tailgate is the optimum angle to maximise drag - the spoiler effectively changes this angle. Can't imagine it makes a huge difference in performance or fuel consumption, but a favourable Cd value will look better in the adverts!
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You're right smokie, early models, due to their aerodynamic shape, were prone to becoming unstable in crosswinds.
>>Small strips were fitted I think down the sides of the rear window, which hadthe effect of "spoiling" the airflow in a cross wind, preventing the generation of lift.
My Sierra Sapphire has said strips (strakes?) fitted. They are a real pain when cleaning the car. Small leaves get trapped behind them and turn into compost unless regularly blasted out.
I have no idea if they aid the aerodynamics as I do not explore
the limits especially with 165 tyres.
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