Dimpled Car

[RockMonkey]

Anyone watch Mythbusters? They got ~11% better than original fuel economy by making a car dimpled (like a golf ball). To do it, they added 800-something pounds of clay. I would imagine if they actually created dimpled body panels that didn't add any weight, the increase would be even more significant. I want a dimpled car!

Think dimpled cars are in the future? It looked kinda cool...

 

[Caleb]

Funny you would bring this up because in paintball there's mixed opinions on dimples. Most don't like a dimpled paintball because they claim it affects accuracy and the integrity of the shell (I'm on this side). Some believe that dimples help it to fly straighter and further, since golf balls are dimpled I might buy that IF the dimples are all identical (like a golf ball) and it was designed to be that way. I think the same thing would apply to a dimpled car, it would have to be designed with that intention (the whole wind tunnel thing) I don't think random dimples would do what their intended purpose was.

 

[RockMonkey]

Funny you would bring this up because in paintball there's mixed opinions on dimples. Most don't like a dimpled paintball because they claim it affects accuracy and the integrity of the shell (I'm on this side). Some believe that dimples help it to fly straighter and further, since golf balls are dimpled I might buy that IF the dimples are all identical (like a golf ball) and it was designed to be that way. I think the same thing would apply to a dimpled car, it would have to be designed with that intention (the whole wind tunnel thing) I don't think random dimples would do what their intended purpose was.

Mythbusters covered the whole car in clay (maybe an inch or so), then cut the dimples out of the clay. They basically cut as many dimples as would fit, dimpleing the entire exterior of the car, with the exception of the windows and headlights. Then they put the dimple cutouts in the back seat (so as not to change the weight between dimpled and un-dimpled cars. The real surprise was that the dimpled car got quite a bit better fuel economy than the factory car without the added weight of the clay. They didn't do any testing RE: placement/design of the dimples. With some time and money spent on R & D, a dimpled car could be a real advancement.

 

[solidfrontaxle]

I will dimple your car if you give me $100.

 

[Brian P]

My father in law has an '08 Hyundai that has dimples all over it after a hail storm in Montana last Spring, But the way he drives I dont think he would get better gas milage no matter how dimpled it is.

 

[MikeGyver]

Ive often wondered why they dont dimple body panels on race cars or land speed cars...

 

[jdub]

http://www.zipp.com/wheels/detail.php?ID=31

These guys use it extensively!

 

[MikeGyver]

1080 is such a buzz'word' now

 

[I Lean]

Homer had it right when he took the pick to his car---he just got overzealous. If he wouldn't have hit so hard, he would have made the dimples instead of the speed holes.

 

[Tacoma]

I'd drive one.

 

[Cody]

I might buy that IF the dimples are all identical (like a golf ball) and it was designed to be that way. I

Most golf balls have a pattern of different size dimples these days.

 

[Kiel]

Homer had it right when he took the pick to his car---he just got overzealous. If he wouldn't have hit so hard, he would have made the dimples instead of the speed holes.

Thats a good episode.

 

[Rusted]

Here is the dimpled car episode

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/mythbusters-golf-ball-like-dimpling-mpg/