The Aerodynamic Development of the Probe IV Advanced Concept Vehicle 831000
The aerodynamic development and characteristics of a four-passenger advanced concept automobile are described. An overview of the areas of the vehicle design which were dealt with to obtain a drag coefficient value of 0.153 is provided. The interior packaging philosophy is outlined which led to the potential for packaging four to six passengers within an extremely low drag automobile. Parametric shape studies of the major surface design elements are documented from the contributing development testing. The particular design treatments adopted and the rationale behind the choice of design are examined for each of the aerodynamically-sensitive areas of the vehicle. Examinations of the unique solutions to vehicle cooling, ramp and curb clearance, front wheel skirting and vehicle attitude are presented. Full scale wind tunnel data is shown for the configurations examined and vehicle stability parameters compared with conventional vehicles.
Citation: Santer, R. and Gleason, M., "The Aerodynamic Development of the Probe IV Advanced Concept Vehicle," SAE Technical Paper 831000, 1983, https://doi.org/10.4271/831000. Download Citation
Author(s):
Robert M. Santer, Mark E. Gleason
Affiliated:
Ford Motor Company
Pages: 30
Event:
Passenger Car Meeting & Exposition
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Also in:
Vehicle Aerodynamic Developments-SP-0545
Related Topics:
Concept vehicles
Wind tunnel tests
Drag
Aerodynamics
Packaging
Logistics
Technical review
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