[cgc]

Does anyone know if the rear spoiler actually produces any downforce? Or does it just produce drag and there for show?

 

[charlee]

Alfa claims it does. But who knows.

 

[tom0311]

It produces so much down-force that it would stick to the road if the road was upside down.

Only kidding, it probably does nothing. Looks good though.

 

[.:ian:.]

Its a spoiler not an aerofoil/wing

Spoiler (automotive) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[alex_b]

I think the general consensus is that it does nothing and is just cosmetic.

 

[cgc]

Cosmetic looks it is then

 

[tom0311]

Cosmetic looks it is then

It's hardly gonna make a difference to the performance just get one they look nice

 

[Persimmon]

Cosmetic looks it is then

Well actually ....maybe No.

My son's TS was fitted with the Spoiler a few months back.
As an test both he and I drove the GTV in a series of 0-60 and 0-100 's and after the Spolier was fitted we repeated the exercise.
We made sure both days were similar (weather was dry and fairly sunny on both days) and it was on the same bit of an airport surround road.

Now we both drove faster with the spoiler on.
I have the times around somewhere.
It wasn't much better as I recall but it was on the stopwatch quicker for both of us.

So were we trying harder two weeks spoiler fitted later ?
who can say ( althouigh we were pushing it as hard as we could pre spolier as we had a Dad and son who's the faster contest so probably not )

We had not changed weight ourselves and we kept the contents inside the car exactly the same and of course with the spoiler fitted the car must have been slightly heavier in the second runs.

Anyway it looks so much better so even if it was slower we would not have cared.

Ah the myteries of life !

Alan

 

[cgc]

I was just hoping some thing was hold the car to the road, more than just weight at top speed.

 

[.:ian:.]

Did no-one read the link I posted? :lol:

Spoilers for cars are often incorrectly confused with, or the term used interchangeably with, wings. Automotive wings are devices whose intended design is to generate downforce as air passes around them, not simply disrupt existing airflow patterns.

...


The main design goal of a spoiler in passenger vehicles is to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency[1]. While many often imitate wings and airfoils, these serve mostly decorative purposes.

..., a spoiler can still be beneficial. This is because many vehicles have a fairly steep downward angle going from the rear edge of the roof down to the trunk or tail of the car. At high speeds, air flowing across the roof tumbles over this edge, causing air flow separation. The flow of air becomes turbulent and a low-pressure zone is created, increasing drag and instability (see Bernoulli effect). Adding a rear spoiler makes the air "see" a longer, gentler slope from the roof to the spoiler, which helps to delay flow separation. This decreases drag, increases fuel economy, and helps keep the rear window clean.

 

[charlee]

You could always fit something like this :lol::lol::lol:

http://image.superstreetonline.com/...2009_toyota_corolla_axio_gt300+gt_spoiler.jpg

 

[cgc]

Did no-one read the link I posted? :lol:

I did, but you cant tell if alfa have done this one to reduce drag or just for looks.

 

[cgc]

You could always fit something like this :lol::lol::lol:

http://image.superstreetonline.com/...2009_toyota_corolla_axio_gt300+gt_spoiler.jpg

Oh dear no, lol. And i already have the standard spoiler i just wondered if it was doing anything useful. Which it might well be, just not what i thought.

 

[.:ian:.]

I did, but you cant tell if alfa have done this one to reduce drag or just for looks.

The V6 with the aero kit has allegedly a 4mph higher top speed.

If you dont happen to spend much of your time at 151-154mph then you may still benefit from a snifter less fuel usage at motorway speeds

 

[ThreePointTwo]

I read somewhere the kamm-tail design of the GTV without spoiler reduces drag anyway - there is a lip on the back of the boot lid and the rear valance sits under it and slopes off steeply. This prevents the build up of a low pressure area,

:thumbs:

 

[Guest]

I couldn't give a flying F... what it does for the aero of the car. It looks the dogs bollokcs

 

[Turtle4288]

Just to follow up on what has been quoted on Wikipedia... I've attached a nice diagram from a vehicle dynamics textbook I've got... It says a smaller hatch-angle gives less drag, and then the other picture I've added shows the difference.

I'd go on, but my girlfriend just got here :lol:

 

[Hobson284]

I couldn't give a flying F... what it does for the aero of the car. It looks the dogs bollokcs

Oh lordy your replies do make me larf, but I couldn't agree more :thumbs:

 

[rednose66]

I couldn't give a flying F... what it does for the aero of the car. It looks the dogs bollokcs

+1 :thumbs:

 

[bradpit999]

+1 :thumbs:

+1