Wheels that create downforce!
Aug 10, 2007, 08:53 PM
#1
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Wheels that create downforce!
So... When are we going to have some available? I just got my new R&T where they had the 0-200mph shootout. In this issue they have the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren where they talk about its wheels that have blade-shaped spokes that act as fans to extract air from under the car! So I ask, why aren't these being produced for the aftermarket yet? Volk or somebody needs to jump on this! And when they do they should just go ahead and send me a set for free for bringing this to their attention. 
A 5% commission would be cool too. 
A 5% commission would be cool too.
Aug 10, 2007, 09:14 PM
#5
i havent seen thost but they could be similar to the old school BBS cooling fins that would mounts to the locknut to cool the front brakes
look at some 70s IMSA cars with disc looking rims
i really doubt there is a wheel that will make downforce
think of how fast it must spin to do so
look at some 70s IMSA cars with disc looking rims
i really doubt there is a wheel that will make downforce
think of how fast it must spin to do so
Aug 10, 2007, 10:30 PM
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The SLR isn't low enough for what little amount of air the wheels pull to create any sort of low pressure under the car.
All of those racing wheel covers were made to cool the brakes as they brought air IN to the wheel, and almost always used on only the fronts.
All of those racing wheel covers were made to cool the brakes as they brought air IN to the wheel, and almost always used on only the fronts.
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Aug 11, 2007, 08:56 AM
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Well he says in his original post that he was talking about the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
Also take what R&T say with a grain of salt. Same with C&D. A lot of the time they are just guessing or going by Manufacturers claims, And we all know that they are not always the truth.
Also take what R&T say with a grain of salt. Same with C&D. A lot of the time they are just guessing or going by Manufacturers claims, And we all know that they are not always the truth.
Aug 13, 2007, 09:00 PM
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True, true. I'm just curious at what rpm it would take for these wheels to do what R&T claims they do. Seeing that the McLaren is a 200mph+ car, I'm sure it could be achieved, although the amount of downforce created by the suction would probably be minimal.
Aug 14, 2007, 09:45 AM
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I don't think the wheels on the F1 cars extract air from the underside considering it's an open wheel design. The air flow over those cars is tested beyond regular street car design and it shows. However on the SLR (closed wheel) at speeds of near 200mph, every little bit of low pressure under the car helps to keep it on the road.
Aug 14, 2007, 09:51 AM
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My buddy had some oldschool Work wheels on his 240SX that were shaped almost like fan blades. They were designed to pull air inward to have a cooling affect on the brakes as well as direct air underneath the car.
Aug 14, 2007, 10:20 AM
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Here is a quote from the R&T article:
"Again, Steve is right. Our data show that at 1 mile, the SLR is traveling at 181.2 mph. Over the next mile — in a performance much like the Lambo's — the car gains only 18.6 mph. What's more, Steve complains that "at around 185 mph, the SLR starts to wander a wee bit. It gets your attention. It feels like it's packing air under its nose."
He may be on to something. The Mercedes folks had fitted this SLR with 18-in. winter wheels thought to create less drag than the stock 19-in. ones, which have special blade-shape spokes that work as fans to extract air from under the car for added downforce. The 18s, they presumed, would have less drag because the car wouldn't be getting sucked closer to the ground. However, this means the nose of the car on 18s is likely higher, creating that feeling Steve noticed of air getting stuffed under the nose of the car."
"Again, Steve is right. Our data show that at 1 mile, the SLR is traveling at 181.2 mph. Over the next mile — in a performance much like the Lambo's — the car gains only 18.6 mph. What's more, Steve complains that "at around 185 mph, the SLR starts to wander a wee bit. It gets your attention. It feels like it's packing air under its nose."
He may be on to something. The Mercedes folks had fitted this SLR with 18-in. winter wheels thought to create less drag than the stock 19-in. ones, which have special blade-shape spokes that work as fans to extract air from under the car for added downforce. The 18s, they presumed, would have less drag because the car wouldn't be getting sucked closer to the ground. However, this means the nose of the car on 18s is likely higher, creating that feeling Steve noticed of air getting stuffed under the nose of the car."
Aug 14, 2007, 10:34 AM
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It doesn't seem like the "Mercedes folks" refferred to were not from the design department or they would have already known about the effect of non-stock 19 in wheels.
Why would R&T do a performance test on a vehicle with altered components? Especially winter wheels? Ugh....
Why would R&T do a performance test on a vehicle with altered components? Especially winter wheels? Ugh....
