Ford Fusion

[Nerds laugh at me]

What is the purpose of those extentions on the roof anyways ?
I always thought they served the same purpose as a vertical stabalizer on an aircraft.

[GasSavers_Graeme]

The fences on the roof of NASCAR cars is to reduce lift if they drift so the air is coming from the side. It "spoils" the lift. Those, coupled with roof flaps, make flying NASCARs the exception rather than the rule.

[Dynamically Aero]

A few more photos, though they'll vanish come Wednesday morning.

[lunarhighway]

just a thought on the side but could these side spoilers be the reason why so many cars and suv's are outfitted with roofrails? most of these look heavy enought not to fly off even at high speeds but their high buildup should generate enough lift to cause instability, so perhaps these silly roofracks pervent lift from sidewinds and make the car more stable at highway speeds?

[lunarhighway]

i'm not sure if it's already posted before, but this picture gives a good view at the dropshape of the car.

there also seem to be some interesting ridges over the front and rear window... any ideas what they are? air guides?...

[MetroMPG]

That is a good picture.

The strips look to me like they're just there to hold the glass or make sure it stays in place:

http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/...esting/313326/
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/...esting/313338/

[ELF]

So is the rear deck extension for areo ? or just a place to put the parachutes?

I looked at the prius "rear fences" on a car in the parking lot. Then I made my self some and mounted them on my prizm, they look kinda cool, But I don't really know if there helping FE or not.

[MetroMPG]

Got a pic of your fences, ELF?

I'd say the deck lid extension helps aero. It improves the effective angle from the trailing edge of the roof to the trailing edge of the deck. Also as lunarhighway pointed out the side plates continue the boattailing of the sides.

[ELF]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Got a pic of your fences, ELF?
.

Eh, got a couple of pics in my garage, not so great pics.

[charlesB]

anybody else intrigued about the stock .34 cd rating?

The car appears to be designed with aero in mind.

Ford's new grille design is nearly a complete grille block, with only the lower portion left open (on both the main and lower grille).

Side mirrors are relatively small.

Wipers are placed very low on the windscreen.

Rear glass has a long slope that leads to a fairly high deck lid.

One would have to guess the underbody is very dirty, and I dont see any air dams or wheel spoilers. Why?