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CATEGORIES (articles) > Motor Sport > Terminology > Drag coefficient in detail

Drag coefficient in detail


The drag coefficient (Cd or Cx) is a number that describes a characteristic amount of aerodynamic drag caused by fluid flow, used in the drag equation. Two objects of the same frontal area moving at the same speed through a fluid will experience a drag force proportional to their Cd numbers. Coefficients for rough unstreamlined objects can be 1 or more, for smooth object much less.

mathbf{F}_d= - {1 over 2} ho mathbf{v}^2 C_d A    

Flow around a plate, showing stagnation.

A Cd equal to 1 would be obtained in a case where all of the fluid approaching the object is brought to rest, building up stagnation pressure over the whole front surface. The top figure shows a flat plate with the fluid coming from the right and stopping at the plate. The graph to the left of it shows equal pressure across the surface. In a real flat plate the fluid must turn around the sides, and full stagnation pressure is found only at the center, dropping off toward the edges as in the lower figure and graph. The Cd of a real flat plate would be less than 1, except that there will be a negative pressure (relative to ambient) on the back surface. The overall Cd of a real square flat plate is often given as 1.17. Flow patterns and therefore Cd for some shapes can change with the Reynolds number and the roughness of the surfaces.


Cd in automobiles

The drag coefficient is a common metric in automotive design, where designers strive to achieve a low coefficient. Minimizing drag is done to improve fuel efficiency at highway speeds, where aerodynamic effects represent a substantial fraction of the energy needed to keep the car moving. Indeed, aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed. Aerodynamics are also of increasing concern to truck designers, where a lower drag coefficient translates directly into lower fuel costs.

About 60% of the power required to cruise at highway speeds is taken up overcoming air drag, and this increases very quickly at high speed. Therefore, a vehicle with substantially better aerodynamics will be much more fuel efficient.


CdA

While designers pay attention to the overall shape of the automobile, they also bear in mind that reducing the frontal area of the shape helps reduce the drag. The combination of drag coefficient and area is CdA (or CxA), a multiplication of the Cd value by the area.

In aerodynamics, the product of some reference area (such as cross-sectional area, total surface area, or similar) and the drag coefficient is called drag area. In 2003, Car and Driver adapted this metric and adopted it as a more intuitive way to compare the aerodynamic efficiency of various automobiles. Average full-size passenger cars have a drag area of roughly 8.5 ft² (.79 m²). Reported drag area ranges from the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette at 6.1 ft² (.57 m²) to the 2006 Hummer H3 at 16.8 ft² (1.56 m²).


More CdA Examples

This value is extremely useful as the either the area or drag coefficent alone are not enough to be used in any equation. Sometimes it is not possible to get either value, but it might be possible to deduce it. For a skydiver example below, it is possible to deduce CdA from the weight and terminal velocity. Don't forget to add the weight of all the equipment! Skydiver ACd examples are in both  ft² and m² units.


To see more related information visit the Extreme High Altitude Conditions Calculator


Automobile examples of ACd ft² are shown below: ([1] tbls.htm)

  • 5.10 - 1999 Honda Insight
  • 5.71 - 1990 Honda CR-X Si
  • 5.76 - 1968 Toyota 2000GT
  • 5.80 - 1986 Toyota MR2
  • 5.81 - 1989 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
  • 5.88 - 1990 Nissan 240SX
  • 5.92 - 1994 Porsche 911 Speedster
  • 5.95 - 1990 Mazda RX7
  • 6.00 - 1970 Lamborghini Miura
  • 6.13 - 1993 Acura NSX
  • 6.17 - 1995 Lamborghini Diablo
  • 6.27 - 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera
  • 6.27 - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  • 6.54 - 1991 Saturn Sports Coupe
  • 6.40 - 1990 Lotus Esprit
  • 6.57 - 1985 Chevrolet Corvette
  • 6.77 - 1995 BMW M3
  • 6.79 - 1993 Toyota Corolla DX
  • 6.81 - 1991 Subaru Legacy
  • 6.90 - 1993 Saturn Wagon
  • 6.93 - 1982 Delorean
  • 6.96 - 1988 Porsche 944 S
  • 6.96 - 1995 Chevy Lumina LS
  • 7.02 - 1992 BMW 325I
  • 7.04 - 1991 Honda Civic EX
  • 7.10 - 1995 Saab 900
  • 7.14 - 1995 Subaru Legacy L
  • 7.34 - 2001 Honda Civic
  • 7.39 - 1994 Honda Accord EX
  • 7.48 - 1993 Camaro Z28
  • 7.57 - 1992 Toyota Camry
  • 7.69 - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  • 7.72 - 1993 Subaru Impreza
  • 8.70 - 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo
  • 8.70 - 1992 Ford Crown Victoria
  • 8.71 - 1991 Buick LeSabre Limited
  • 9.54 - 1992 Chevy Caprice Wagon
  • 10.7 - 1992 Chevy Blazer
  • 11.7 - 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 16.8 - 2006 Hummer H3
  • 17.4 - 1995 Land Rover Discovery
  • 26.3 - 2003 Hummer H2

Drag in sports and racing cars

Reducing drag is also a factor in sports car design, where fuel efficiency is less of a factor, but where low drag helps a car achieve a high top speed. However, there are other important aspects of aerodynamics that affect cars designed for high speed, including racing cars. Notably, it is important to minimize lift, hence increasing downforce, to avoid the car ever becoming airborne. Also it is important to maximize aerodynamic stability: some racing cars have tested well at particular "attack angles", yet performed catastrophically, i.e. flipping over, when hitting a bump or experiencing turbulence from other vehicles (most notably the Mercedes-Benz CLR). For best cornering and racing performance, as required in Formula 1 cars, downforce and stability are crucial and these cars have very high Cd values.


Typical values and examples

The typical modern automobile achieves a drag coefficient of between 0.30 and 0.35. SUVs, with their flatter shapes, typically achieve a Cd of 0.35–0.45. Notably, certain cars can achieve figures of 0.25-0.30, although sometimes designers deliberately increase drag in order to reduce lift.

Some examples of Cd:

  • 0.7 to 1.1 - typical values for a Formula 1 car (downforce settings change for each circuit)
  • 0.7 - Caterham Seven
  • at least 0.6 - a typical truck
  • 0.57 - Hummer H2, 2003
  • 0.51 - Citroën 2CV
  • over 0.5 - Dodge Viper
  • 0.44 - Toyota Truck, 1990-1995
  • 0.42 - Lamborghini Countach, 1974
  • 0.42 - Triumph Spitfire Mk IV, 1971-1980
  • 0.42 - Plymouth Duster, 1994
  • 0.39 - Dodge Durango, 2004
  • 0.39 - Triumph Spitfire, 1964-1970
  • 0.38 - Volkswagen Beetle
  • 0.38 - Mazda Miata, 1989
  • 0.374 - Ford Capri Mk III, 1978-1986
  • 0.372 - Ferrari F50, 1996
  • 0.36 - Eagle Talon, mid-1990s
  • 0.36 - Citroën DS, 1955
  • 0.36 - Ferrari Testarossa, 1986
  • 0.36 - Opel GT, 1969
  • 0.36 - Honda Civic, 2001
  • 0.36 - Citroën CX, 1974 (the car was named after the term for drag coefficient)
  • 0.355 - NSU Ro 80, 1967
  • 0.34 - Ford Sierra, 1982
  • 0.34 - Ferrari F40, 1987
  • 0.34 - Chevrolet Caprice, 1994-1996
  • 0.34 - Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2006
  • 0.338 - Chevrolet Camaro, 1995
  • 0.33 - Dodge Charger, 2006
  • 0.33 - Audi A3, 2006
  • 0.33 - Subaru Impreza WRX STi, 2004
  • 0.33 - Mazda RX-7 FC3C, 1987-91
  • 0.33 - Citroen SM, 1970
  • 0.32064 - Volkswagen GTI Mk V, 2006 (0.3216 with ground effects)
  • 0.32 - Toyota Celica,1995-2005
  • 0.31 - Citroën AX, 1986
  • 0.31 - Citroën GS, 1970
  • 0.31 - Eagle Vision
  • 0.31 - Ford Falcon, 1995-1998
  • 0.31 - Mazda RX-7 FC3S, 1986-91
  • 0.31 - Renault 25, 1984
  • 0.31 - Saab Sonett III, 1970
  • 0.30 - Audi 100, 1983
  • 0.30 - BMW E90, 2006
  • 0.30 - Porsche 996, 1997
  • 0.30 - Saab 92, 1947
  • 0.29 - Dodge Charger Daytona, 1969
  • 0.29 - Honda CRX HF 1988
  • 0.29 - Subaru XT, 1985
  • 0.29 - BMW 8-Series, 1989
  • 0.29 - Porsche Boxster, 2005
  • 0.29 - Chevrolet Corvette, 2005
  • 0.29 - Mazda RX-7 FC3S Aero Package, 1986-91
  • 0.29 - Lancia Dedra, 1990-1998
  • 0.29 - Honda Accord Hybrid, 2005
  • 0.29 - Lotus Elite, 1958
  • 0.29 - Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Coupe, 2001 - 2007
  • 0.28 - Toyota Camry and sister model Lexus ES, 2005
  • 0.28 - Porsche 997, 2004
  • 0.28 - Renault 25 TS, 1984
  • 0.28 - Saab 9-3, 2003
  • 0.27 - Infiniti G35, 2002 (0.26 with "aero package")
  • 0.27 - Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Sedan, 2001 - 2007
  • 0.27 - Rumpler, 1921
  • 0.27 - Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2007
  • 0.26 - Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, 1952
  • 0.26 - Hotchkiss Gregoire, 1951
  • 0.26 - Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class, 2006
  • 0.26 - Toyota Prius, 2004
  • 0.26 - Vauxhall Calibra, 1989
  • 0.25 - Dymaxion Car, 1933
  • 0.25 - Honda Insight, 1999
  • 0.24 - Audi A2 1.2 TDI, 2001
  • 0.212 - Tatra T77 a, 1935
  • 0.20 - Loremo Concept, 2006
  • 0.20 - Opel Eco Speedster Concept, 2003
  • 0.195 - General Motors EV1, 1996
  • 0.19 - Alfa Romeo BAT Concept, 1953
  • 0.19 - Dodge Intrepid ESX Concept , 1995
  • 0.19 - Mercedes-Benz "Bionic Car" Concept, 2005 ([2] mercedes_bionic.htm) (based on the boxfish)
  • 0.16 - Daihatsu UFEIII Concept, 2005
  • 0.16 - General Motors Precept Concept, 2000
  • 0.14 - Fiat Turbina Concept, 1954
  • 0.137 - Ford Probe V prototype, 1985
Figures given are generally for the basic model. Faster and more luxurious models often have higher drag, thanks to wider tires and extra spoilers.
2.1 - a smooth brick
0.7 to 1.1 - typical values for a Formula 1 car
0.9 -a typical bicycle plus cyclist
0.7 - Caterham Seven
at least 0.6 - a typical truck
0.57 - Hummer H2, 2003
0.51 - Citroën 2CV
over 0.5 - Dodge Viper
0.42 - Lamborghini Countach, 1974
0.42 - Triumph Spitfire Mk IV, 1971-1980
0.38 - Volkswagen Beetle
0.38 - Mazda Miata, 1989
0.374 - Ford Capri Mk III, 1978-1986
0.372 - Ferrari F50, 1996
0.36 - Eagle Talon, mid-1990s
0.36 - Citroën DS, 1955
0.36 - Ferrari Testarossa, 1986
0.36 - Honda Civic, 2001
0.36 - Citroën CX, 1974 (the car was named after the term for drag coefficient)
0.355 - NSU Ro 80, 1967
0.34 - Ford Sierra, 1982
0.34 - Ferrari F40, 1987
0.34 - Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2006
0.338 - Chevrolet Camaro, 1995
0.33 - Citroen SM, 1970
0.31 - Citroën AX, 1986
0.31 - Citroën GS, 1970
0.31 - Eagle Vision
0.31 - Renault 25, 1984
0.31 - Saab Sonett III, 1970
0.30 - Audi 100, 1983
0.30 - BMW E90, 2006
0.30 - Porsche 996, 1997
0.30 - Saab 92, 1947
0.29 - Honda CRX HF 1988
0.29 - Subaru XT, 1985
0.29 - Lancia Dedra, 1990-1998
0.29 - Lotus Elite, 1958
0.28 - Toyota Camry and sister model Lexus ES, 2005
0.28 - Porsche 997, 2004
0.28 - Renault 25 TS, 1984
0.28 - Saab 9-3, 2003
0.27 - Infiniti G35, 2002 (0.26 with "aero package")
0.27 - Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2007
0.26 - Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class, 2006
0.26 - Toyota Prius, 2004
0.26 - Vauxhall Calibra, 1989
0.25 - Honda Insight, 1999
0.24 - Audi A2 1.2 TDI, 2001
0.212 - Tatra T77 a, 1935
0.195 - General Motors EV1, 1996
0.19 - Dodge Intrepid ESX Concept , 1995


Cd in aircraft

Some examples of Cd ([3] q0184.shtml) :

  • 0.027 - Cessna 172/182
  • 0.027 - Cessna 310
  • 0.022 - Learjet 24
  • 0.048 - F-104 Starfighter
  • 0.021 - F-4 Phantom II (subsonic)
  • 0.044 - F-4 Phantom II (supersonic)
  • 0.031 - Boeing 747
  • 0.095 - X-15

Cd in other shapes

Some examples of Cd ([4] tables.html)

  • 2.1 - a smooth brick
  • 0.9 - a typical bicycle plus cyclist
  • 0.4 - rough sphere (Re = 106)
  • 0.1 - smooth sphere (Re = 106)
  • 0.001 - laminar flat plate (Re = 106)
  • 0.005 - turbulent flat plate (Re = 106)
  • 1.0-1.3 - man (upright position)
  • 1.0-1.1 - skier
  • 1.0-1.3 - wires and cables
  • 1.3-1.5 - Empire State Building
  • 1.8-2.0 - Eiffel Tower



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