As slippery as an Escalade

[Newport Viper]

All-new carbon-fiber and aluminum skin is sculpted for high-speed stability and a slippery .364 drag coefficient (Cd)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficient

Got to love the press....

 

[v10enomous]

Don't you have to catch some air to generate down force ?

 

[SnakeBitten]

Yeah I saw that and was like, What?? The old GTS was .35 while the new GTS is .364. If my understanding of drag coefficient is correct tthen the new Viper is slightly worse?

 

[05Commemorative]

For drag, yes, but if it translates to downforce (which is my bet), then good. would be great to know downforce numbers at speed.

 

[Bobpantax]

It is down force. Remember the trade off in top speed with the Gen IV ACR? Even with the changes in the wing tips and cannards for the 2010 model, it topped out at 184 MPH while the standard coupe did 202 MPH. I believe the Gen V has greater down force than the standard Gen IV coupe but less than the ACR. And it still has a top speed exceeding 200 MPH. I would say that is quite an accomplishment. The more down force a car has, the more power it needs to go faster as the down force kicks in. It is a balancing act.

 

[v10enomous]

I thought I saw somewhere that the advertised top speed for the Gen V is 206 mph.

 

[BCBowers]

Don't you have to catch some air to generate down force ?

Correct. If you want to reduce lift without using a proper airfoil then you have to create some drag.

 

[GONABITE]

Just for comparison the ZR1 has a drag coefficient of .36 as well. I don't understand why the OP thinks this is like an Escalade? Good job SRT.
'

 

[lxadeuce]

even a proper airfoil has induced drag which raises the coefficient of drag number. Form drag, friction drag, and induced drag all add up to give a cD or coefficient of drag which is one number. I would bet that friction drag is pretty low. form drag could be additional scoops for cooling and induced drag is drag created as a result of lift whether it be in positive or negative lift, in the viper's case it would be negative lift or downforce

 

[bluestreak]

Just for comparison the ZR1 has a drag coefficient of .36 as well. I don't understand why the OP thinks this is like an Escalade? Good job SRT.
'

Because he scoured the net for something to put down the new Viper and found that the drag coefficient was equal to a lot of cars, and picked the worst sounding one he could to make it sound bad.

Insecurity is great.

 

[351carlo]

Yea and the frontal area of the Escalade is enormous when compared to the Viper.

Cd is not the best way to compare cars. Especially in a performance car.

F1 cars have a Cd of aproximately 1.0!

 

[BCBowers]

Well speak of the devil.... Mr. Ralph discusses this exact topic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCvsxCSCCGE

 

[v10enomous]

Functional "Exhausters" woot woot woot