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Automotive aerodynamics is invariably tied to fuel efficiency. The more aerodynamic a car is, the better it is in reducing fuel consumption, because the engine does not have to work as hard to make the car run against the wind. How good is the Toyota Corolla aerodynamics? What Corolla variants have been designed to lessen their drag? How can you improve fuel efficiency, considering the aerodynamics of your Corolla? Read on to find out! Aerodynamics and Drag There are two aerodynamic forces that act on cars, trucks, and planes: lift and drag. Both lift and drag are important for planes, but drag is more important for vehicles. Drag is a force that opposes forward motion or something that pulls an object back. It is a major factor when it comes to fuel use. To overcome drag, an engine must exert more power than the energy it uses up to run the car’s other components such as the engine and powertrain friction, tire rolling resistance, and making accessories work. The ability to overcome drag force would show how good a vehicle’s aerodynamics is. Coefficient of Drag The coefficient of drag, shortened to Cd, is a measure of how effortlessly a vehicle slides through the air as it is driven. The more a car speeds up the more drag it has to overcome and therefore the more fuel it uses up, so auto manufacturers have been making streamlined designs to lessen the effect of drag on their cars. The Toyota Corolla’s aerodynamics has been improved this way. A low Cd is the goal, especially for vehicle types that have a larger Cd because of the size of their frontal areas, such as SUVs and pickups. Reducing the drag coefficient is a big deal, especially if you consider fuel economy—lowering the Cd by 0.01 can result in an improved fuel economy: as much as 0.2 miles per gallon. Aerodynamic Corollas As mentioned earlier, Toyota has been stepping up to improve the aerodynamics of their Corolla variants. One example is the sixth generation Corolla, known as the E90 and introduced in May 1987. The car sported a more rounded look, which was continued in the next generation release in June 1991. The tenth generation Corolla Altis is one of the latest Corollas that showed off a clearly aerodynamic design. Of course, perhaps the best example of the lineup’s aerodynamic prowess is the Corolla hatchback, also known as the Levin ZR. The Corolla Hatch has wing-shaped, vortex-generating fins on the car’s center and rear underbody that help create down-force. Maintaining Your Toyota Corolla’s Aerodynamics To counter the pull of drag as you drive on the highway, roll up your windows and turn on your AC instead. If you have roof racks installed, remove them if you’re not going to use them. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. You can also cover up your wheels with a slightly convex, smooth wheel cover. You may also modify your car to add to its aerodynamics; rear and side fairings can detach airflow from the car, therefore reducing drag. New Corolla models are in the works, and it’s interesting to see how these will show much-improved Toyota Corolla aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The Furia Concept is something to watch out for!
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Toyota Corolla, used cars, japanese cars,
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