The evolution of the Ferrari’s aerodynamics in the last 20 years

In high performance cars, such a Ferrari GT, aerodynamics plays a key role in achieving and improving performance. For this reason and to put its F1 racing experience to good use, Ferrari is particularly attentive to aerodynamics in the design and style development of its GT cars.

Until now, the aerodynamic engineers have concentrated on improving efficiency by increasing aerodynamic downforce, hence enhancing the tyres’ grip capabilities, without worsening drag, i.e. maximum speed performance. The goal for the future is to improve aerodynamic efficiency by greatly reducing drag while maintaining and wherever possible increasing downforce.

Trend of the aerodynamic downforce coefficient of Ferrari GT models recorded over the last 20 years. Since the 355, which was the first downforcing car, the downforce of all following models has been continuously increased. On the V8 rear engine cylinder up to 8 times more than the 355.

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Trend of the aerodynamic drag coefficient of Ferrari GT models recorded in the last 20 years. The drag stays almost constant.

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Contents :

Page 1 : Summary
Page 2 : The development of the underbody
Page 3 : Style and performance
Page 4 : Aerodynamics research goals for the near future
Page 5 : Drag reduction by using synthetic jets
Page 6 : Drag reduction by using passive blowing (base bleed)
Page 7 : Management of internal flows
Page 8 : Underbody active flow control
Page 9 : Humped underbody design
Page 10 : Matching downforce and drag with active aerodynamics
Page 11 : Annex: FXX Aerodynamic developments

Author : Ferdinando Cannizzo
Publication date : January 2008
Source : Ferrari

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