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The dynamic performance of a vehicle traveling at high speeds is affected by the aerodynamic characteristics consisting of lift on front and rear axles, side force, and yawing moment. In order to enable consideration of these aerodynamic characteristics from the early stages of the vehicle development process, it is required that the characteristics are replaced by simple development indices. The study discussed in this paper introduced the concept of equivalent cornering stiffness to analyze these aerodynamic characteristics from the viewpoint of vehicle dynamics. Using this method, it is possible to integrate four aerodynamic characteristics into two variables which are very important to vehicle dynamics. As a result, the interaction between each aerodynamic characteristic is simply expressed in the equations of motion. Moreover the aerodynamic characteristics are dealt with as the same variables which are commonly used in other chassis systems such as suspensions and tires.

The effects of aerodynamic coefficients on handling response and flat ride were quantified. For handling response, the aerodynamic effect was quantified by analysis with linear representation and a two-wheel simulation model, using aerodynamic coefficients obtained from a full scale car wind tunnel. The correlation of aerodynamic coefficients and handling response with driving feel was also ascertained. Aerodynamic yaw moment and side-force were also converted to equivalent front and rear lift to standardize aerodynamic indexes and improve aerodynamic development efficiency. For flat ride, steady and unsteady aerodynamic effects were quantified by analysis with a two-degree-of-freedom mass-spring-damper simulation model and aerodynamic coefficients obtained from a 35% scale model wind tunnel and towing tank test. Unsteady aerodynamic force occurrence mechanism was ascertained by unsteady CFD using dynamic mesh.