Sport Auto: Drag Coefficient

I couldn’t decide what to make so I asked Christian (Zonda) and he said he’d like to see drag Coefficient.

All of the figures have been collected by Sport Auto at 200 km/h in the Daimler Chrysler wind tunnel. The figures are purely for fun , they, as I’m sure is obvious, do not determine which car has better aerodynamics.



All figures are from Supertest so everything you see here is it, no Z06 yet, no 599 yet and etc[/SIZE]

The List

.27 – Porsche 997 Carrera S
.28 - BMW 335i
.28 - Porsche Cayman S
.29 - Porsche 987 Boxster S
.29 – BMW E39 M5]
.29 – Porsche 997 GT3
.29 – Mercedes-Benz SL500 02
.29 – Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG
.29 – Porsche 996 GT3
.29 – Chevrolet Corvette C6
.29 – Porsche 996 Carrera 2
.29 – Porsche Boxster 99
.29 – Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG
.30 – Porsche 996 GT3RS
.30 – Audi S4 Avant 2003
.30 – Porsche 996 GT3 MK2
.30 – BMW E60 M5
.30 - Porsche 997 GT3RS
.30 – Chevrolet Corvette C5 CE
.30 – Porsche 996 Turbo
.31 – Audi S4 MK1
.31 – Porsche 996 GT2 MK1
.31 – Mercedes-Benz CLK55 00
.31 – Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG
.31 – Callaway C12
.31 – BMW M6
.31- Volkswagen Golf GTI 02
.31 – Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
.31 – Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
.31 – Audi RS6
.31 – Audi B7 RS4
.31 – Volkswagen R32 MK1
.31- TechArt GT Street
.32 - AC Schnitzer 6er Tension
.32 – Honda Civic Type – R
.32- Volkswagen Golf 4motion VR6 00
.32 – Porsche 996 GT3 Cup
.32 – Aston Martin DB7 GT
.32 – Porsche Boxster S
.32 –Volkswagen R32 MK2
.32 – Ferrari 575M Maranello
.32 – Nissan 350Z
.32 – Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG
.32 – Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG
.32 – BMW E46 M3[/SIZE]
.32 – Ferrari 575M Maranello
.32 - Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
.33 – Aston Martin V8 Vantage
.33 – Aston Martin Vanquish
.33 - Audi 2.0 TT TFSI
.33 – Volkswagen Golf GTi DSG 05
.33 – BMW E46 M3 CSL
.33 – BMW M3 CSL
.33 – Ferrari 550 Maranello
.33 – Lamborghini Murcielago 6.2
.33 – Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
.33 – BMW Z4 3.0 CSi
.33 – Audi RS4 MK1
.33 – Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
.33 – Aston Martin V8 Vantage
.34 – Audi 1.8 TT MK1
.34 - Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
.34 – Ferrari F430 Berlinetta
.34 – Maserati GranSport
.34 – Honda NSX-R
.34 – Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM
.34 - MTM VW Golf V GTI vs
.34 – Audi S3 MK1
.34 – Jaguar XKR Coupe 01
.35 – Lamborghini Gallardo
.35 – Jaguar XKR, 2007
.35 – Renault Megane Trophy Sport Auto Edition
.35 – Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG
.35 – Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 (optional spoiler)
.35 – Subaru Impreza WRX STi 04
.35 – Subaru Impreza GT Turbo 00
.35 - Mitsubishi EVO Carisma VI
.35 – Lotus Esprit 350Z
.35 – Koenigsegg CCR
.35 – Ford GT
.36 – Mini Cooper S Works
.36 – BMW Z4 3.0 SMG
.36 – Pagani Zonda F
.36 – Alpina Roadster S
.37 – BMW Z3 3.0 Coupe
.37 – Lamborghini Diablo GT
.37 - Steinmetz Opel Astra OPC
.37 – Porsche Carrera GT
.37 – Mitsubishi EVO Carisma VII
.37 – BMW Z3M Coupe
.38 – Opel Speedster Turbo
.38 – Renault Clio V6 00
.38 - Honda S2000 MK1
.40 – AC Schnitzer V8 Topster
.40 – Pagani Zonda C12S 7.3
.42 – BMW Z8
.42 – Lotus Exige S2
.43 – BMW Z3M Roadster

Real cool stuff

It really surprises me that cars like the Gallardo and Murcielago which look like the slickest cars in the world that could cut through air, don't do well in the aerodynamics department. Well at least not as good as I expected them to do.

Mirage77 said:

It really surprises me that cars like the Gallardo and Murcielago which look like the slickest cars in the world that could cut through air, don't do well in the aerodynamics department.

Click to expand...

Remember dude, this doesn't completley determine how good the vehicles aerodynamics are

The Gallardo actually does quite well in the overall aerodynamic test as does the Murcielago. It sounds
like you have interest in the following, so tomorrow i'll start work on the actual downforce/lift or neutral
figures these vehicles develop.

For example: I'll also include the overall aerodynamic rating they were given

Ford GT @ 200 km/h: develops 44kg of downforce but develops 2kg of lift at the rear

V8 Vantage @ 200 km/h: develops 48kg of lift at the front and also develops 13kg of lift at the rear end

Mirage77 said:

It really surprises me that cars like the Gallardo and Murcielago which look like the slickest cars in the world that could cut through air, don't do well in the aerodynamics department. Well at least not as good as I expected them to do.

Click to expand...

Remember one thing: drag coefficients basically tell us how "slippery" a car slices through the air when moving. For sports cars and race cars, what is very important is "downforce", which aids in cornering speeds. But the only to generate downforce is to create differences in air pressure between different surfaces of the car (like a wing or spoiler), which means you have to harness the air to do the work.

In other words, a car with very high downforce inevitably results in a higher drag coefficient. That's why cars like the Gallardo, Zonda, etc, have fairly high drag coefficients.

A good example of this is the retractable wing on the Veyron. In normal handlng mode, the wing is tilted up to generate good amounts of downforce to allow for stable and high speed cornering. However, this tilted up wing creates a lot of drag. To achieve the car's top speed, the wing has to retract to minimize the drag, but then you obviously lose the downforce on the rear wheels.

PC Valkyrie said:

Remember one thing: drag coefficients basically tell us how "slippery" a car slices through the air when moving. For sports cars and race cars, what is very important is "downforce", which aids in cornering speeds. But the only to generate downforce is to create differences in air pressure between different surfaces of the car (like a wing or spoiler), which means you have to harness the air to do the work.

In other words, a car with very high downforce inevitably results in a higher drag coefficient. That's why cars like the Gallardo, Zonda, etc, have fairly high drag coefficients.

A good example of this is the retractable wing on the Veyron. In normal handlng mode, the wing is tilted up to generate good amounts of downforce to allow for stable and high speed cornering. However, this tilted up wing creates a lot of drag. To achieve the car's top speed, the wing has to retract to minimize the drag, but then you obviously lose the downforce on the rear wheels.

Click to expand...

7.3 AMG said:

Remember dude, this doesn't completley determine how good the vehicles aerodynamics are

The Gallardo actually does quite well in the overall aerodynamic test as does the Murcielago. It sounds
like you have interest in the following, so tomorrow i'll start work on the actual downforce/lift or neutral
figures these vehicles develop.

For example: I'll also include the overall aerodynamic rating they were given

Ford GT @ 200 km/h: develops 44kg of downforce but develops 2kg of lift at the rear

V8 Vantage @ 200 km/h: develops 48kg of lift at the front and also develops 13kg of lift at the rear end

Click to expand...

Wow thanks guys, I learnt something new today.

wow check out the new 3er Coupe

My car (Audi A4) has 0.28 according to the user manual but more powerful models have larger tyres so it's dropping.
Also BMW 320i (E90) has 0.27 compared to 0.28 of the 335i.

Well the 335i has those crapy 17" runflats, so the Drag coeficient would have been a bit higher.

My point is models with narrow tyres have better Cd. Large rims and tyres are not good for aerodynamics.

Here's another one i missed yesterday

Porsche Cayman S: .28

Yannis said:

My point is models with narrow tyres have better Cd. Large rims and tyres are not good for aerodynamics.

Click to expand...

Yes I know, higher numbers = not as good.

Its because of threads like this that 7.3 has so much Karma. This is really awesome.. Thanks a bundle. This is what enhances this site to a level that no other automotive forum has achieved. The M3 will have a higher drag coefficient than the 335i because of the wider stance, bigger tires, etc.

I just saw this thread and as predicted the 911 is at the top. There you have it people, this is the reason why Porsche doesn't change the design/shape of the 911. It is becasue the shape has a very important function.

Matt said:

Its because of threads like this that 7.3 has so much Karma. This is really awesome.. Thanks a bundle.

Click to expand...

You're welcome!

Matt said:

This is what enhances this site to a level that no other automotive forum has achieved.

Click to expand...

That's my plan, to create a level of data unheard of

Luwalira said:

I just saw this thread and as predicted the 911 is at the top. There you have it people, this is the reason why Porsche doesn't change the design/shape of the 911. It is becasue the shape has a very important function.

Click to expand...

The teardrop is an ideal aerodynamic shape, since Porche 911 is designed to look almost like half a teardrop it's an obvious advantage.

One i forgot to add, Aston Martin DB9 Coupe - .33

7.3 AMG said:

That's my plan, to create a level of data unheard of

Click to expand...

Well its working! Its almost as though this forum is becoming a resource, which pretty respectable IMHO.

Luwalira said:

I just saw this thread and as predicted the 911 is at the top. There you have it people, this is the reason why Porsche doesn't change the design/shape of the 911. It is becasue the shape has a very important function.

Click to expand...

Thats a really good point Luw...

New:

.35 - Jaguar XKR, 2007

some more numbers from Wikipedia:
* 0.7 to 1.1 - typical values for a Formula 1 car (downforce settings change for each circuit)
* 0.7 - Caterham Seven
* at least 0.6 - a typical truck
* 0.57 - Hummer H2, 2003
* 0.51 - Citroën 2CV
* over 0.5 - Dodge Viper
* 0.46 - Ford Mustang, 1979 (coupe)
* 0.44 - Ford Mustang, 1979 (fastback)
* 0.44 - Toyota Truck, 1990-1995

* 0.42 - Lamborghini Countach, 1974
* 0.42 - Triumph Spitfire Mk IV, 1971-1980
* 0.42 - Plymouth Duster, 1994

* 0.39 - Dodge Durango, 2004
* 0.39 - Triumph Spitfire, 1964-1970

* 0.38 - Volkswagen Beetle
* 0.38 - Mazda Miata, 1989

* 0.374 - Ford Capri Mk III, 1978-1986
* 0.372 - Ferrari F50, 1996
* 0.37 - Renault Twingo
* 0.36 - Eagle Talon, mid-1990s
* 0.36 - Citroën DS, 1955
* 0.36 - Ferrari Testarossa, 1986
* 0.36 - Opel GT, 1969
* 0.36 - Honda Civic, 2001
* 0.36 - Citroën CX, 1974 (the car was named after the term for drag coefficient)

* 0.355 - NSU Ro 80, 1967

* 0.34 - Ford Sierra, 1982
* 0.34 - Ferrari F40, 1987
* 0.34 - Chevrolet Caprice, 1994-1996
* 0.34 - Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2006
* 0.338 - Chevrolet Camaro, 1995

* 0.33 - Dodge Charger, 2006
* 0.33 - Audi A3, 2006
* 0.33 - Subaru Impreza WRX STi, 2004
* 0.33 - Mazda RX-7 FC3C, 1987-91
* 0.33 - Citroën SM, 1970

* 0.32064 - Volkswagen GTI Mk V, 2006 (0.3216 with ground effects)
* 0.32 - Toyota Celica,1995-2005

* 0.31 - Citroën AX, 1986
* 0.31 - Citroën GS, 1970
* 0.31 - Eagle Vision
* 0.31 - Ford Falcon, 1995-1998
* 0.31 - Mazda RX-7 FC3S, 1986-91
* 0.31 - Renault 25, 1984
* 0.31 - Saab Sonett III, 1970
* 0.31 - Audi A4 B5, 1995-2000

* 0.30 - Audi 100, 1983
* 0.30 - BMW E90, 2006
* 0.30 - Porsche 996, 1997
* 0.30 - Saab 92, 1947

* 0.29 - Dodge Charger Daytona, 1969
* 0.29 - Honda CRX HF 1988
* 0.29 - Subaru XT, 1985
* 0.29 - BMW 8-Series, 1989
* 0.29 - Porsche Boxster, 2005
* 0.29 - Chevrolet Corvette, 2005
* 0.29 - Mazda RX-7 FC3S Aero Package, 1986-91
* 0.29 - Lexus LS 400, 1990
* 0.29 - Lancia Dedra, 1990-1998
* 0.29 - Honda Accord Hybrid, 2005
* 0.29 - Lotus Elite, 1958
* 0.29 - Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Coupe, 2001 - 2007

* 0.28 - Toyota Camry and sister model Lexus ES, 2005
* 0.28 - Porsche 997, 2004
* 0.28 - Renault 25 TS, 1984
* 0.28 - Saab 9-3, 2003

* 0.27 - Infiniti G35, 2002 (0.26 with "aero package")
* 0.27 - Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Sedan, 2001 - 2007
* 0.27 - Rumpler Tropfenwagen, 1921
* 0.27 - Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2007

* 0.26 - Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, 1952
* 0.26 - Hotchkiss Gregoire, 1951
* 0.26 - Lexus LS 430, 2001 (0.25 with air suspension)
* 0.26 - Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class, 2006
* 0.26 - Toyota Prius, 2004
* 0.26 - Vauxhall Calibra, 1989

* 0.25 - Audi A2 1.2 TDI, 2001
* 0.25 - Dymaxion Car, 1933
* 0.25 - Honda Insight, 1999
* 0.25 - SmILE (an experimental car)

* 0.212 - Tatra T77 a, 1935

* 0.20 - Loremo Concept, 2006
* 0.20 - Opel Eco Speedster Concept, 2003

* 0.195 - General Motors EV1, 1996
* 0.19 - Alfa Romeo BAT Concept, 1953
* 0.19 - Dodge Intrepid ESX Concept , 1995
* 0.19 - Mercedes-Benz "Bionic Car" Concept, 2005 [6] (based on the boxfish)

* 0.16 - Daihatsu UFEIII Concept, 2005
* 0.16 - General Motors Precept Concept, 2000

* 0.14 - Fiat Turbina Concept, 1954

* 0.137 - Ford Probe V prototype, 1985
* 0.117 - Summers Brothers Goldenrod Bonneville race car, 1965