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Notchback models generally have more complicated flow patterns than box models. This leads to intricate infuluence of rear geometry of Notchback on aerodynamic drag. Therefore, based on understanding of wake structure, flow phenomena for reducing the drag can be analyzed. This paper analyzes the influence of geometry of rear portion on the drag by means of 1/5 scale notchback models. For fastback models, at certain critical angle of the rear window the drag shows a sharp peak. For notchback models, it is found that some combination of the angle of rear window and the height of trunk deck shows simillar maximum in the drag. Moreover, the flow visualization and the detailed measurements of velocity fluctuation clarify typical vortex patterns of wake, which are an arch-type vortex behind the rear window and the trailing vortex behind the trunk deck.

The wind-noise-level in the cabin of a vehicle depends on the magnitude of the aerodynamically generated noise and noise isolation characteristics. Therefore, one good way to reduce the wind-noise-level in the cabin is to minimise the acoustic noise itself generated by the turbulent air flow around the vehicle at high speed cruising. This paper describes the relation between the turbulent flow and the aerodynamic noise as well as how to estimate the magnitude of aerodynamic noise, especially around A-pillar of a production vehicle. First, the flow visualization and the detailed measurements of flow clarify the vortex structure generated around A-pillar and side window. Secondly, sound pressure fluctuations measured on the side window surface are discussed in relation to the vortex structure. Lastly, in order to estimate the order of the magnitude of aerodynamic noise we, propose physical parameters given by approximating the solution of Lighthill's equation.

For both notchback-type and fastback-type models, it has been found that critical geometries which increase the aerodynamic drag exist, and the time-averaged wake patterns basically consist of an arch vortex behind the rear window and trailing vortices in the wake. The unsteady characteristics of the wake seem to be directly related to aerodynamic drag. However, the unsteady characteristics of these wake patterns for notchback and fastback cars were not clear. The purpose of present paper is to clarify these phenomena. We try to analyze experimentally the unsteady characteristics by measuring the velocity fluctuations in the wake, the pressure fluctuations on the trunk deck and the drag-force fluctuations acting on the model. At the same time, the analysis of the numerical simulation was made by using the same numerical model as the experimental model. The computed flow visualization behind the rear window showed a fluctuating arch vortex.

Experiment and CFD have been performed to clarify the distribution of wind noise sources and its generation mechanism for a production vehicle. Three noise source identification techniques were applied to measure the wind noise sources from the outside and inside of vehicle. The relation between these noise sources and the interior noise was investigated by modifying the specification of underbody and front-pillar. In addition, CFD was preformed to predict the noise sources and clarify its generation mechanism. The noise sources obtained by simulation show good agreement with experiment in the region of side window and underbody.

The substantial part of the drag of an automobile is the pressure drag. Therefore, the car must be designed as it produces minimum pressure drag. The present paper describes effects of geometrical configuration of the rear part of a car on the aerodynamic drag. Experiments were made on 1/5 scale models of fastback and notchback design. For the fastback car the drag depends heavily on the angle of a rear window. At a certain critical angle the drag shows a sharp peak. This peak drag can be reduced drastically by the tapering of plan form of the rear geometry. For the notch-back design some combination of the angle of rear window and height of trunk deck shows similar maximum in the drag. Methods of avoiding the large drag were also found. Our experiment was extended to the measurement of structure of wake by hot wire anemometers and total pressure tubes. The correlation between the wake structure and drag was clarified by the consideration of vorticity and circulation.