Automotive Aerodynamics - Drag Coefficient

Drag Coefficient

Drag coefficient (Cd) is a commonly published rating of a car's aerodynamic smoothness, related to the shape of the car. Multiplying Cd by the car's frontal area gives an index of total drag. The result is called drag area, and is listed below for several cars. The width and height of curvy cars lead to gross overestimation of frontal area. These numbers use the manufacturer's frontal area specifications from the

Mayfield Company Homepage.

Some examples:

Drag area ( Cd x Ft2) Year Automobile
3.95 1996 GM EV1
5.10 1999 Honda Insight
5.40 1989 Opel Calibra
5.54 1980 Ferrari 308 GTB
5.61 1993 Mazda RX-7
5.61 1993 McLaren F1
5.63 1991 Opel Calibra
5.64 1990 Bugatti EB110
5.71 1990 Honda CRX
5.74 2002 Acura NSX
5.76 1968 Toyota 2000GT
5.88 1990 Nissan 240SX
5.86 2001 Audi A2 1.2 TDI 3L
5.92 1994 Porsche 911 Speedster
5.95 1994 McLaren F1
6.00 1970 Lamborghini Miura S
6.00 1992 Subaru SVX
6.06 2003 Opel Astra Coupe Turbo
6.08 2008 Nissan GTR
6.13 1991 Acura NSX
6.15 1989 Suzuki Swift GT
6.17 1995 Lamborghini Diablo
6.24 2004 Toyota Prius
6.27 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera
6.27 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
6.35 1999 Lotus Elise
6.77 1995 BMW M3
6.79 1993 Corolla DX
6.81 1989 Subaru Legacy
6.96 1988 Porsche 944 S
7.02 1992 BMW 325I
7.10 1978 Saab 900
7.13 2007 SSC Ultimate Aero
7.48 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
7.57 1992 Toyota Camry
8.70 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo
8.71 1991 Buick LeSabre Limited
9.54 1992 Chevy Caprice Wagon
10.7 1992 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
11.63 1991 Jeep Cherokee
13.10 1990 Range Rover Classic
13.76 1994 Toyota T100 SR5 4x4
14.52 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser
17.43 1992 Land Rover Discovery
18.03 1992 Land Rover Defender 90
18.06 1993 Hummer H1
20.24 1993 Land Rover Defender 110
26.32 2006 Hummer H2

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