Aero performance of the ZS EV

[Kithmo]

According to the book Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, by Alan Prasuhn, a square flat plane (like, say, a brick wall) has a drag coefficient of about 1.16. Road cars are usually around 0.3, so 1.16 is pretty high.
ZS

 

[RossN]

Maybe you could reverse everywhere ?

 

[Iain]

Maybe you could reverse everywhere ?

Great idea, except my reversing camera is set too low for driving.

 

[JodyS21]

According to the book Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, by Alan Prasuhn, a square flat plane (like, say, a brick wall) has a drag coefficient of about 1.16. Road cars are usually around 0.3, so 1.16 is pretty high.
ZS
View attachment 1630

Are we all agreeing then, that the ZS EV is in fact more aerodynamically efficient than a brick

 

[Fishettibean]

An actual brick has glide ratio of about 1:10. In fact, the Space Shuttle flies more like the best sailplanes (11× difference) than like a brick (45× difference). Surprisingly, it's marginally better than Concorde at take-off (4:1), but not at speed (12:1).

If Space Shuttle flies "like a brick", why does it need the wings?

I have seen the Shuttle named a "flying brick" multiple times. However a brick, as understood in the building industry, is a simple rectangular shape without wings and without any adaptation of th...

aviation.stackexchange.com

I prefer to compare the ZS to a space shuttle....

 

[KasEV]

A totally flat underbelly would have been nice, you see that on many new EV's now. EV's that are only designed for being EV's are more carefully designed. The ZS EV is having a bit older design philosophy, but some people are also looking for a car that doesn't look like an EV. (first Leaf) and that is also appealing to some.

@Jeps
So far as the underside of the ZS EV is concerned it is also flat the big Gap that you see is an air hole. All EV have air holes and it is necessary for temp control of the electric motors. The problem is that the Chinese have taken the name literally and put a big hole in. Others especially audi have a system of "fins and grills" that direct the air and makes the air hole functional without making it a gaping hole.

 

[RossN]

but you pay 3 times the price for an Audi

 

[JHendriks]

The faster you drive the more drag you encounter.

That's because it's a exponantial factor:
Fd,l = ½ .ρ .Cd .A .v^2.


Lowering the car would help, removing the sidemirrors?, slimmer tyres with more solid rubber

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

The faster you drive the more drag you encounter.

Judging by your profile pic you must drive pretty fast

 

[SCB86]

Judging by your profile pic you must drive pretty fast

You sir just won the internet ?

 

[AbuG]

Making the grille smoother is supposed to help the aerodynamics too... Apparently.
Here a mod add-on...

 

[SCB86]

Most of the ZS EV's grille is blanked due to the charger anyway. Doubt it will make much difference overall to the CD.

 

[Iain]

Making the grille smoother is supposed to help the aerodynamics too... Apparently.
Here a mod add-on...

I like this. Do you know if it is available to buy here?

 

[macd2401]

Think it's a homemade number.

Looks a bit...I dunno...just doesn't look right to me.

 

[AbuG]

I like this. Do you know if it is available to buy here?

Yes it's home made see vid below for details.

 

[AbuG]

Most of the ZS EV's grille is blanked due to the charger anyway. Doubt it will make much difference overall to the CD.

He does bring some numbers to show the effect.

 

[Mark Holmes]

He does bring some numbers to show the effect.
View attachment 1679

One question, what a pain in the butt and what a fuss when you simply want to charge the car..

 

[AbuG]

One question, what a pain in the butt and what a fuss when you simply want to charge the car..

Indeed not something that I would personally do.

 

[SCB86]

I personally really like the grille on the EV, much nicer than the ICE ZS.

 

[Dodger]

I personally really like the grille on the EV, much nicer than the ICE ZS.

I like your make over!