Ariel Aero-P Concept Uses Electric Fans to Stick to the Ground

Ariel is toying with a unique solution to reduce low-speed drag caused by large aerodynamic bits while maintaining downforce at high speeds. The Ariel Aero-P concept uses both passive and active aerodynamics – including a pair of high-speed electric fans that can provide downforce at any speed; even while the vehicle is stationary.

“Although it’s a large and complex project, covering a lot of areas, performance is core to us,” Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, said in a release. “We’re moving towards the point where traction and therefore acceleration, particularly from standstill, are limited by mechanical grip so we’re trying to come up with ways of overcoming this.

“One of our targets was to minimize or remove the need for aerofoils and have ‘downforce when stationary.’ Inspiration came from banned racing cars of the past, so there’s a big nod from us to Jim Hall’s 1970 Chaparral 2J Sucker Car and the Gordon Murray Brabham BT46B Fan Car of 1978. The Atom test car has been already been nicknamed The Vacuum Cleaner and hopefully it follows in the tradition of these two great cars.”

Reducing drag also helps reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Other goals of the project are to improve vehicle stability and safety, while effectively controlling cooling and airflow management for gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

Where conventional aerodynamic bits increase downforce as speed increases (and consequently cause unnecessary drag at low and high speeds which negatively affects fuel use and top speed), the electric fan concept can be used on demand to increase stability when accelerating, cornering, or braking as well as in emergency situations.

In addition to the high-speed electric fans, the Ariel Aero-P concept features additional molding and rubber skirts on the underside of the body tub as well as ducting to direct airflow and a dedicated battery pack. The system, which can be turned on and off manually or automatically, quickly spins up the fans as needed. The concept will be used to further develop passive aerodynamics and unique powertrain technology.

“When the system is turned on the car visibly squats on the ground so you can see it working, which is pretty exciting,” Saunders said, “We’re already making about three times the downforce as aerofoils, but this really is just the first step and a very early stage in what is a large and complex project to bring to a production reality, so we have a lot more work to do.”

Source: Ariel

The post Ariel Aero-P Concept Uses Electric Fans to Stick to the Ground appeared first on Motor Trend.

from Motor Trend http://ift.tt/2d0nHHr