Numerical Aerodynamic Optimization of a Low Fuel Consumption Car Body Shape

The present paper describes the procedure employed and the results obtained in a study on the aerodynamic characteristics of an experimental car. The aim of the study was to optimize the aerodynamic performance of a prototype developed for the 15th Shell Eco-Marathon Contest 1999. The aerodynamic optimization was conducted via a numerical study. The code employed solves the Navier-Stokes equations in a boundary-fitted coordinate system, using the SIMPLEC procedure. Turbulence effects upon the mean flow field were modeled using a low-Reynolds number k-ε turbulence model. The analysis of both the pressure distribution and the values for the aerodynamic coefficients allowed the tuning of the car shape in terms of aerodynamic performance.