AERODYNAMICS OF VEHICLES

Automobile performance depends upon engine, tires, suspension, road but most significant impact is by aerodynamics, nobody was thinking about aerodynamics when horse was replaced by thermal engine over 100 years ago. The goal was to shield the driver and passengers from wind, rain and dust as before. After the tremendous advancement flight engineering, the idea of applying aerodynamics to road cars appeared much later. Smooth and streamlined shapes were developed for both airships and aircraft that significantly lowered the drag and allowed higher cruising speeds at any (limited) engine power. This article will discuss about all the small components of aerodynamics, its importance in vehicle design. Broadly vehicles are divided into two segments one is racing vehicles and other is general vehicles though both type of vehicles require aerodynamic properties but in different objectives. Importance of aerodynamics in motorsports and in road vehicles will be discussed as well as the need of other aerodynamic components used in these vehicles