Gentlemen and Ladies, About a year ago, when this topic was visited at some length, I posted the following numbers:
In a message dated 6/10/03 11:50:23 AM, albell@UVIC.CA writes:
<< Drag = 1/2 A * Cd * rho *vsquared
A = frontal area (any one know this for Vanagon/Westy?) Cd = drag coefficient, I have seen 0.44 stated for Vanagon rho = density of air >>
Alistair,
Greetings from Yungay Station, Antofagasta, Chile with relative humidity of 1.1 to 4.2%! Some numbers! The drag coefficient (Cd) and frontal area (A) for the regular Vanagon are 0.45 and 3.06 m2; for the later Vanagon with front spoiler lip,the values are: 0.44 and 3.08 m2; for the Westfalia, the numbers are 0.52 and 3.17 m2; the later Westfalia with spoiler drops the drag coefficient to 0.51. The European hightop camper (Dehler profile) takes the drag coefficient to 0.40 with a frontal area of 3.61 m2. So highest drag for the Westfalia and the Euro hightop has essentially the same drag as the regular passenger version. BTW, I have info somewhere that the drag coefficient for the syncros is higher by about 0.03 but I can't place my hands on those notes just now.
Frank (Grunthaner) This data comes from VW factory wind tunnel tests, conducted as they worked out the optimal gearing for the various powerplant combinations. Pleased to see some technical discussion on the list! Frank Grunthaner |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.