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[DigiBunny]

I JUST noticed the Knightsports Wing on the RX-8 curves forward instead of being swept back.
Upon seeing that, I remembered the wing configurations for aircraft, such as delta wings ( optimized for speed and lift ) and the V wing ( on the Su-47 for mobility ). Now I know that a Rear Spoiler on a car is used to create downforce which grants better traction...

But when cornering, would a different wing shape have a significant effect if it caught the air a certain way?

[backalleyracer]

thats the whole point of a wing, to make air push down onto the car


what were you asking again ??

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Some custom wings tailed for a specific car might be better if the designer took the car's shape in mind when it comes to where the air reaches the back of the wing during cornering. Or sometimes they just make the wing in a shape that matches the car just for aesthetics mostly (as opposed to possibly having more effective downforce then a regular wing with no crazy curvature). Hard to say.

[sideways]

The "general" answer is simple. Air travels along the car. the wing is curved to keep the edges of the wing closer to the curved edges of the car where the air is comming from. Of course that might be digging too deep into something that might just have been picked for aestheteics. If it was higher (above the roof line of the car) it wouldnt make a difference and a straight wing could be used- think of something like a formula 1 car (but hey anyone know if they use straight wings for design restraints?). Of course aerodynamics come to mind, if theyre good on the rx8 the air sticking to the car could be fast enough that youd see benefits by having the wing on that level. If its dirty, well then its pointless. Oh so many questions.

Fwiw, swept back wings are used to help reduce drag on air crafts- but only above a certain speed (google the speed if u car, im lazy). This principle doesnt hold true for slower planes though and a straight wing design works better.

This post has been edited by sideways on Feb 13 2009, 04:35 PM