What If It Had A Bigger Trunk?

[RogWild]

I really like the p4, and it appears the body is relatively set. Just seems, if the aero difference is minimal, a little extra height there would be a positive in many ways. Utility, aesthetic, roof cargo options....

Raising the roof line would leave a larger 'dead space' in the rear of the vehicle, and greatly increase DRAG. The current 'Kammback' aerodynamic rear style would be compromised because; “According to the classic definition the tail should be cut off where it has tapered to approximately 50% of the car's maximum cross section “.

 

[JN2Wheels]

Raising the roof line would leave a larger 'dead space' in the rear of the vehicle, and greatly increase DRAG. The current 'Kammback' aerodynamic rear style would be compromised because; “According to the classic definition the tail should be cut off where it has tapered to approximately 50% of the car's maximum cross section “.

I get that this vehicle is a study of kammtails. However, the 50% you cite assumes symmetry. In this case, I'm not sure how the asymmetrical cross section effects that number. It could be that the ideal is 25% down on the top, instead of the full 50% reduction occurring on just one side of the cross section.

Anyway, wind tunnel testing would be of primary importance, and with the explosion of tunnels available, I'm very surprised I haven't read anything about prototype development being supported by a modeling confirmation tunnel session. Anyone found any mention of the aero design development process?

 

[Travis Bertram]

We were talking about a bigger truck and still keeping to aerodynamics. Also as a Can-am Spyder rider brake lights are needed on the fenders. Trust me, people look past the back and focus on the front wheels. How well here is a view before P4.

Now it looks more like a station wagon... But I agree 100% with the lights on the fenders.

 

[NRB]

Stop screwing with the design! The P-4 is great as is and represents months of tweaking and drag checks. You want more cargo space , buy a pick-up! Lets get this thing into production before some of us die of old age!! RB

 

[NRB]

You are right on , but looking back, a four point roll in later years will result in tossing your cookies big time most likely!