I've been seeing some comments around the 'net that the Model S is more aerodynamic than the Roadster. While that's strictly true, I think it bears considering that the aerodynamic drag coefficient of a vehicle is a non-dimensional number. It does not directly represent the amount of force on a vehicle at any given speed.
It seems like a more appropriate comparison would be the drag area of the Roadster versus the Model S. The Model S is larger than the Roadster, and surely it must overcome a greater force due to aerodynamic drag. If the Model S were scaled down to half size, then I suppose it would have one quarter the drag of the full size version, even though the drag coefficient would stay the same.
Anyone have drag area numbers for the Roadster and/or Model S?
As an example, the Prius has an impressively low drag coefficient, but the point is that it's quite a large vehicle. The Honda CRX and original Honda Insight don't have quite the same drag coefficient, but their drag area is significantly less than the Prius. That's how the original Honda Insight achieved an EPA mpg rating that's almost double that of the Prius (well, not literally double).
I mostly bring this up because people need to be educated that larger cars will always suffer from larger energy losses no matter how low their drag coefficient. Driving a smaller car that fits your actual capacity needs, while applying similar efforts to reduce drag, will net a lower energy consumption due to lower drag area. Switching from ICE to electric is a good goal, but I hope we can encourage people to stop driving around 4-seater SUVs with only one person in them and no cargo.
It seems like a more appropriate comparison would be the drag area of the Roadster versus the Model S. The Model S is larger than the Roadster, and surely it must overcome a greater force due to aerodynamic drag. If the Model S were scaled down to half size, then I suppose it would have one quarter the drag of the full size version, even though the drag coefficient would stay the same.
Anyone have drag area numbers for the Roadster and/or Model S?
As an example, the Prius has an impressively low drag coefficient, but the point is that it's quite a large vehicle. The Honda CRX and original Honda Insight don't have quite the same drag coefficient, but their drag area is significantly less than the Prius. That's how the original Honda Insight achieved an EPA mpg rating that's almost double that of the Prius (well, not literally double).
I mostly bring this up because people need to be educated that larger cars will always suffer from larger energy losses no matter how low their drag coefficient. Driving a smaller car that fits your actual capacity needs, while applying similar efforts to reduce drag, will net a lower energy consumption due to lower drag area. Switching from ICE to electric is a good goal, but I hope we can encourage people to stop driving around 4-seater SUVs with only one person in them and no cargo.