The aerodynamic characteristics directly affect driving characteristics, stability, operation, oil consumption, and safety of automobiles.  The aerodynamic analyses of automobiles, such as the virtual wind tunnel experiment simulation, based on finite element methods have provided useful theoretical reference to automobile bodywork design. In this study, the air flow vector variation and distribution of air pressure was obtained.  The simulation results show that air flow yields high pressure area on the top and the bottom of the cars. The vortex flow yields behind cars and varies from intensity to infirmness. The air resistance force to car bodywork increases and the air lifting force decreases with the slantwise angle of back windshield increasing.
['Li-Xin Guo', 'Yimin Zhang', 'Wei-Jun Shen']
Simulation Analysis of Aerodynamics Characteristics of Different Two-Dimensional Automobile Shapes