Quote:
Originally Posted by nikitopo
Yes, it is the drag coefficient. Spelling error.
Yes it is possible. Check Nissan GT-R for example. It has a Cd value of 0.26. It is silly to say that BRZ doesn't have good downforce, because it has a low Cd value. Don't forget that we are talking about street legal cars here. F1 cars is another story.
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GT-R still does not produce downforce as high as 458. GTR produces 178 lbs @ 186 mph, which is 80 kg @ 299 kph. 458 creates 140 kg @ 200 kph. Not even close, you see? Also, 991 turbo creates between 291 to 331 lbs @ 186 mph depending on optional aero kit.
This is the exact reason why I wrote that Cd and down force are related together but have no fixed relationship. To say that they are completely irrelevant would be wrong.
Great example is 991 with its aero kit. It does not increase Cd yet it increases downforce by 40 lbs @ 186 mph. However, if they wanted significantly larger amount of downforce, they would have inevitably had no choice but to also raise Cd along with it.
Yes, good aero design can minimize Cd by reducing frontal area as much as possible while achieving good downforce but only up to a certain point.
Lastly, the aerodynamics of the twins are not their strongest point. While the low Cd number is impressive, I bet they create nowhere near the downforce levels of above mentioned cars. I cannot find the exact figures(??? lbs @ ??? mph) for the twins so if someone can tell me, I'd appreciate it. Anyway, the twins are not designed to go so fast to a point where aerodynamics really make a huge difference. I completely agree that this car is not about the numbers and you don't get it until you drive it. I drove it, got it, and own one now. But to say that numbers don't matter and then to compare numbers with very high-end sports cars is just silly.