Pickup Aerodynamic Wars: 2009

[MCR]

Kinda like Detroit's version of the Special Olympics?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mxa0518aerotrucksmay18,0,1753627.story

Synopsis - Detroit's Big Three are trying to reduce aero losses on their thirstiest vehicles to gain market share.  Full sized pickups are about .45 Cd according to the author.

[sheribuchta]

if his brick had a cd of .5 it must of had some streamlining also   willie buchta

[Ratliff]

For cost, stamped steel construction is hard to beat. However, if the car companies ever got serious about sandwich composite construction they could not only build much lighter trucks and SUVs but still be as safe or safer.

[MCR]

if his brick had a cd of .5 it must of had some streamlining also   willie buchta

Actually, my GMC is kind of "swoopy".  But I never would have guessed a Cd as low as .430.

I did my math using .60.

Problem is frontal area though.  About 35 sqft.  No way to bring that down alot.  It's just tall and wide.  That's why minitrucks are used instead of full sized trucks.