mark@gatech.UUCP (Mark Johnson) (03/02/84)
Wrong! Drag coefficient can be thought of as a measure of slipperyness.
Frontal area does not affect drag coefficient. It does affect total
drag.
Mark Johnson
UUCP : ...!{akgua,allegra,emory,rlgvax,sb1,ut-ngp,ut-sally}!gatech!mark
ARPA : mark.gatech@CSNet-relay CSNET : mark@gatechmosher@mprvaxa.UUCP (Keith Mosher) (03/06/84)
Anybody out there able to define drag coefficient? All the cars with a low drag coefficient like to advertise the fact, ie .34, .35 etc. Well, this means something because Madza advertises it on the 626 but not on the GLC. The GLC gets better mileage around town but the 626 gets better mileage on the highway. (According to Transport Canada anyway) Also, what is a bad coefficient, which cars, I have heard that the Porsche 928 is very poor. Where can I get a complete listing for current cars? Also, when thinking about it, it would be interesting comparing these factors to older cars, late 60's early 70's.
fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell) (03/08/84)
(oo)
You'd fare better in net.physics, but drag coefficient is a function of
frontal area and the general aerodynamics of the structure. My Physics is
*awfully* rusty, so I can't remember the math for it. In any case, I don't
think it's significant at speeds under 90mph, so I think that the figure is
hype, for the most part. A lower drag coefficient might have a measurable
effect on gas milage, but probably not as much as weight and gearing. I
would not choose a particular make of car on this basis unless I were going
to race it at Daytona. You want figures? Try "frequency of repair" and
"annual maintenance expense." This is about 10E+19 more important than an
esoteric spec like "drag coefficient." Of course, then, it might relate
to the probability of being harassed by homosexuals if you drive it through
certain parts of town.
--
Bob Fishell
ihnp4!ihu1g!fish