fun fact for you VW guys

[Mr. Merk]

The curvy lines, heavily raked windscreens, and smooth underpinnings helped give the B5 Passat an incredibly low coefficient of drag, rated at 0.27 (sedan model). The drag coefficient is lower than many sports cars, and even bests the latest design of the C6 Chevrolet Corvette, rated at 0.29.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Passat4.jpg/800px-Passat4.jpg
http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/data/1083/thumbs/X06CH_CR081.jpg

['Cuda66]

Haha, awesome!

[Don Juan]

lawl, that is awesome!

[zerocool5468]

what about the gti

[Will]

Too bad it has 10x less power and is FWD.

[302Stang]

Too bad it has 10x less power and is FWD.

Roffles.

Troof.

[TrumpetRhapsody]

True, but some weight reduction, awd conversion, and power adders would make it quite the little performer with that kind of aero.

[Vette666]

True, but some weight reduction, awd conversion, and power adders would make it quite the little performer with that kind of aero.

:rofl:

[Jet-Lee]

I was waiting for that post....

[SmokeyTheBear]

http://www.getfrank.co.nz/assets/images/Halfwidth/NewFolder/audi3.jpg

> corvette.

[Vette666]

http://www.getfrank.co.nz/assets/images/Halfwidth/NewFolder/audi3.jpg

> corvette.

something tells me that you and the greater U.S. feel differently :laugh:

and lee.. am i really that predictable :P

[Jet-Lee]

This ain't gonna be another "anything-vs-corvette" thread, so stop that shit right now and get back on topic.

I find it difficult to believe the Passat has a lesser drag coefficient. I think someone's got their math wrong.

and I'd still take the Corvette, even if based on looks alone.

And yes, Sallie, you are. I've been awaiting J's response as well.

[heavyhitter]

I'll take the 'Vette too.... duh.

[Triepsyn]

Hey now kiddos... The fact is the fact... but you have to learn a little something about cds if you don't already... :lmao:

----

2003 Volkswagen Passat TDI
Drag coefficient 0.270
Frontal area 2.17 m2
Cx 0.59

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=117315

-------

2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Drag coefficient 0.280
Frontal area
Cx

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=117084

-------

http://www.insideracingtechnology.com/tech102drag.htm

There is a basic equation for the force it takes to push something through air:

Aerodynamic drag = 1/2 D x A x Vsquared

In this equation, D is the density of the air, A is the frontal area of the moving shape, and V is its velocity relative to the air.

For real body shapes, air at standard conditions, V in mph, and drag in pounds of force, this equation becomes:

Drag = 1/391 x Cd x A x Vsquared

This equation shows that to calculate drag you need to know three things: Cd, the drag coefficient; A, the frontal area of whatever you’re driving through the air; and the speed of air past it. This equation shows an important point—aerodynamic forces are proportional to the square of the speed. That means you quadruple the drag or lift when you double the speed.

The drag coefficient, Cd, is important because, in concert with frontal area, it determines the power cost of pushing a shape through air at a certain speed. A small, low-Cd road car will have a higher top speed than a larger, boxier car with the same engine power.

------

:gold: eurodis

[Triepsyn]

Here's a neat list from Wiki. From highest to lowest, see where you fit on the list.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficients

Production cars
0.7 to 1.1 typical values for a Formula 1 car (downforce settings change for each circuit)
0.7 Caterham Seven
0.6 + a typical truck
0.57 Hummer H2 2003
0.51 Citroën 2CV 1948
0.48 Volkswagen Beetle [6]
0.47 Lancia Aprilia 1937
0.46 Ford Mustang (coupe) 1979
0.45 Dodge Viper RT/10 1996
0.44 Ford Mustang (fastback) 1979
0.44 Peugeot 305 1978
0.44 Peugeot 504 1968
0.44 Toyota Truck 1990
0.425 Duple 425 coach
(named for its low Cd by coach standards) c.1985
0.42 Lamborghini Countach 1974
0.42 Triumph Spitfire Mk IV 1971
0.42 Plymouth Duster 1994
0.41 Volvo 740 (sedan) 1982
0.40 Ford Escape Hybrid 2005
0.40 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 1989
0.39 Dodge Durango 2004
0.39 Triumph Spitfire 1964
0.38[4]
0.39[5] VW NewBeetle without wing or spoiler 2003
0.385 Nissan 280ZX 1978
0.38 Mazda Miata 1989
0.374 Ford Capri Mk III 1978
0.372 Ferrari F50 1996
0.37 Renault Twingo
0.37 BMW Z3 M coupe 1999
0.37 Volkswagen Tiguan 2008
0.36 Citroën CX (named after the term for Cd) 1974
0.36 Citroën DS 1955
0.36 Chrysler Sebring 1996
0.36 Eagle Talon 1990s
0.36 Ferrari Testarossa 1986
0.36 Ford Mustang 1999
0.36 Honda Civic 2001
0.36 Opel GT 1969
0.355 NSU Ro 80 1967
0.35 Aston Martin Vanquish 2004
0.35 Dodge Viper GTS 1996
0.35 Jaguar XKR 2005
0.35 Toyota MR2 1998
0.35 BMW Z4 M coupe 2006
0.35 Volvo 940 (sedan) 1990
0.34 Aston Martin DB9 2004
0.34 Chevrolet Caprice 1994
0.34 Ferrari F40 1987
0.34 Ferrari 360 Modena 1987
0.34 Ferrari F430 F1 1999
0.34 Ford Sierra 1982
0.34 Ford Puma 1997
0.34 Honda Prelude 1988
0.34 Mercedes-Benz SL (Roof Down) 2001
0.34 Peugeot 106 1991
0.338 Chevrolet Camaro, 1995
0.33 Audi A3 2006
0.33 Citroën SM 1970
0.33 Dodge Charger 2006
0.33 Ford Crown Victoria 1992
0.33 Honda Accord Sedan 2002
0.33 Lamborghini Murcielago 2001
0.33 Mazda RX-7 FC3C 1987
0.33 Peugeot 206 1998
0.33 Peugeot 309 1986
0.33 Renault Modus 2004
0.33 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2004
0.324 Cobalt SS Supercharged 2005
0.32 Buick Riviera 1995
0.32 Dodge Avenger 1995
0.32 Honda Accord Coupe 2002
0.32 AMC Pacer 1975-1980
0.32 McLaren F1 1992
0.32 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16/2.3-16
0.32 Nissan 300ZX 1989
0.32 Peugeot 406 1995
0.32 Peugeot 806 1994
0.32 Scion xB 2008
0.32 Suzuki Swift 1991
0.32 Toyota Celica 1994
0.32 Volkswagen GTI Mk V 2006
0.32 MAZDASPEED3 2007
0.31 Audi A4 B5, 1995
0.31 Citroën AX 1986
0.31 Citroën GS 1970
0.31 Eagle Vision
0.31 Ford Falcon 1995
0.31 Holden Commodore 1998
0.31 Honda Civic 2006
0.310 Lamborghini Diablo 1990
0.31 Mazda RX-7 FC3S 1986
0.31 Mazda RX-7 FD R1(R2) 1993
0.31 Mazda RX-8 2004
0.31 Nissan Tiida / Versa 2004
0.31 Peugeot 307 2001
0.31 Renault 25 1984
0.31 Saab Sonett III 1970
0.31 Toyota Avalon 1995
0.31 Toyota RAV4 2006
0.31 Volkswagen GTI Mk IV 1997
0.30 Acura NSX 2005
0.30 Audi 100 1983
0.30 BMW E90 2006
0.30 Hyundai Sonata 2006
0.30 Honda Accord Sedan 2003, 2005-2007
0.30 Honda Odyssey 2005
0.30 Koenigsegg CCX 2006
0.30 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2000
0.30 Nissan 180SX 1989
0.30 Nissan 300ZX 1983
0.30 Nissan 350Z 2002
0.30 Porsche 996 1997
0.30 Porsche 997 GT3 RS 2007
0.30 Saab 92 1947
0.295 Ford Falcon 1998
0.291 Toyota Avalon 2005
0.29 Alfa Romeo 155 1992
0.29 BMW 8-Series 1989
0.29 Chevrolet Corvette 2005
0.29 Daewoo Espero 1990
0.29 Dodge Charger Daytona 1969
0.29 Honda Accord Hybrid 2005, 2007
0.29 Honda Accord Coupe 2003, 2005-2007
0.29 Honda CRX HF 1988
0.29 Lancia Dedra 1990
0.29 Lexus LS 400 1990
0.29 Lotus Elite 1958
0.29 Lotus Europa 1966
0.29 Mazda Millenia 1995
0.29 Mazda RX-7 FC3S Aero Package 1986
0.29 Mazda RX-7 FD 1993
0.29 Mercedes-Benz SL (Roof Up) 2001
0.29 Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Coupe 2001
0.29 Peugeot 308 2007
0.29 Peugeot 407 2004
0.29 Peugeot 607 1999
0.29 Porsche Boxster 2005
0.29 Porsche 997 GT3 2006
0.29 Subaru XT 1985
0.29 Subaru SVX 1992
0.29 Toyota Prius 2001
0.29 Nissan Versa 2007-2008
0.29 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 2002
0.28 Lexus IS 2006
0.28 Mitsubishi Diamante 1995
0.28 Porsche 997 2004
0.28 Renault 25 TS 1984
0.28 Rumpler-Tropfenwagen 1921
0.28 Saab 9-3 2003
0.28 Toyota Camry / Lexus ES 2005
0.28 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2006
0.28 Citroën XM 1989
0.28 Citroën C4 2004
0.28 Volkswagen NewBeetle with wing 2003
0.27 Volkswagen Passat B5(sedan) 1997
0.27 Honda Civic Hybrid 2006
0.27 Infiniti G35
(0.26 with "aero package") 2002
0.27 Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Sedan 2001
0.27 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2007
0.27 Hyundai Genesis 2009
0.27 Nissan GT-R 2008
0.26 Hotchkiss Gregoire[citation needed] 1951
0.26 Lexus LS 430
(0.25 with air suspension) 2001
0.26 Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class 2006
0.26 Opel Calibra 1989
0.26 Toyota Prius 2004
0.25 Audi A2 1.2 TDI 2001
0.25 Honda Insight 1999, 2003, 2005
0.212 Tatra T77 1935
0.27 Tucker Torpedo 1948
0.195 General Motors EV1 1996

[Vette666]

easy lee. i'm just having a good laugh at the suggestion. no worries ;) ok, maybe MORE than just a good laugh. :rofl: :lol:

i really cant help myself sometimes :haha:

[B5turbo]

Looks like i'm a bit late to the party....

Nope its true Kids. The B5 passat really saved VW ass back in the day taking on the camary/accords.

Linkage:
http://passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246957&highlight=Birthday+passat

We had some asshat on the passat forums think that because a chipped passat with do 160mph (stock vette is limited to 140 IIRC) and had the drag rating that it could beat a corvette in a flat out race. lol

[Don Juan]

yea if the race was for 20 miles to allow the passat to get to 160, lol just messin