Investigation of the Effect of a Passenger Vehicle Front Profile on Aerodynamic Performance

Abstract

The design of a vehicle's aerodynamics is crucial for fuel efficiency. A vehicle with a body optimized to reduce drag typically achieves better fuel economy than a similar vehicle without aerodynamic enhancements. The drag coefficient, which measures the aerodynamic drag on a vehicle, is primarily influenced by how air flows around the vehicle, especially as air molecules stagnate at the front. This frontal pressure can be reduced by minimizing the vehicle's exposed frontal surface area, which can be evaluated through wind tunnel testing or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods. This study used CFD analysis to examine the effect of a passenger vehicle’s front hood angle on its aerodynamic performance. Simulations were performed using ANSYS Fluent 15.0, applying the Standard k-epsilon turbulence model, and the CAD models were developed using AutoCAD 2015. The results showed that adjusting the hood angle significantly reduced drag and lift coefficients by 7.72% and 33.3%, respectively, in head-on wind conditions. These modifications to the vehicle’s front profile improved its stability and performance and enhanced fuel efficiency. This study highlights the importance of aerodynamics in vehicle design, demonstrating that even minor adjustments can lead to meaningful improvements. Additionally, it underscores the effectiveness of CFD, an effective tool for aerodynamic analysis, allowing engineers to optimize vehicle designs for better performance and environmental sustainability.