Interesting topic!
At first glance, I think the panels are mainly there to reduce drag coefficient, evidenced by Subaru's findings, but by themselves don't constitute enough to produce noticeable downforce.
The car itself is high off the ground and a lack of side skirts would let lots of air from the side of the car rush into the bottom. Lends me to believe that the stock rear "diffuser" is a cosmetic feature more than a functional one.
|