Cruze Frontal Area? for CdA calc
I got a new toy, Passport G-timer GT2. For the horsepower estimate it requires CdA. We already know Cd = 0.28, now just need the frontal area.
Has anyone come across the Frontal Area of the Cruze? I supposed Plan B would be to use the Volts area.
Has anyone come across the Frontal Area of the Cruze? I supposed Plan B would be to use the Volts area.
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Sweet! I just got back to a computer, came across this 2011 Car & Driver test report, but they got the Cd wrong at 0.33!! That is waaay off, I think this is very significant not like a rounding error.
This source is for the Volt, on par with the Carfolio Cruze numbers.
Cruze Carfolio source: 2.22 m^2 = 23.9 ft^2
Cruze Car & Driver: 25.6 ft^2 (noted as estimate)
Volt Car & Driver: 23.7 ft^2
I thought up a way to measure it, using a shadow. The only problem is it would need a light source where all the light comes in at the same angle to make an un-skewed shadow. The Sun can be used since it is so big and far away; next challenge is tipping the Cruze up to point the nose directly at the Sun and quickly trace the shadow. /s
The "accepted" estimation of frontal area is: Height x Width x 0.85.
Using that, you get the estimation of the Cruze at 2.25 m^2.
Using that, you get the estimation of the Cruze at 2.25 m^2.
The C&D CoD report is for the ECO trims. The Gen 1 ECO actually changes shape relative to air flow above 40 MPH by closing off the lower grill. While not changing the frontal area this technique reduces the CoD enough to actually make the unmodified ECO MT the fastest of the Gen 1 gas Cruze trims and is one of the three external changes to the ECO that enable the car's 42+ MPG on the highway. The other two items are a lowered ride height, which is shared with the RS appearance package, and the laminar under-body panels which reduce drag by preventing turbulence.
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