I always find it funny how at car shows they display all their concept cars HELLA lowered, even if it's like next year's Ford focus or any other POS. There's hardly ever any wheel gap. I'm not even exagerrating, look for yourself next time. Lmao, like Wth dude? Is it really going to look that cool? No!
I like the look. It erases the fish-face of the original: For the most part, there is nothing really extreme here. Anything that reduces drag would increase range. Aero-wise, I see: * Body lowered ? * Full wheel covers + * Hidden wipers +? * Lowered bumper cover + * Splitter + * Side skirts + * Shaved handles ? * Window tint -- energy saving by reduced thermal load on AC? The oversize, low profile tires... probably more glitz than aero. Missing are rear wheel skirts. Can't tell what was done at the rear... a diffuser would be in keeping with the overall look.
Fish face? What are you talking about? Oh - you guys are full of it - how can you say the Leaf looks like a fish?!? . . . . . . . . . oh . . . . never mind there is a bit of polliwog and catfish goin' on there -
I can see the fish too -- I like it! No doubt someone is going to go and wreck the impression by making it shark lite.
It is more like a Nurse Shark Face rather than a fish. But I sorta do see that KOI look as well. I love the new look and as soon as available I will do that for my Leaf. Makes it nicer and racier and way better look. No more fishy face or sharky face. It's about time. Pete
On a serious note, that body kit looks like it is for styling, and not mileage. Note the pronounced vertical "fins" on the outside edge of the bumpers. Wouldn't those cause unnecessary turbulence?
Of all the after-market aero kit suppliers, Aero Style is most likely to actually deliver on claims of improved aerodynamics. They did kits for both Gen II and Gen III Prii that subsequently won MPG challenges in Japan. The kit was done for Nissan "Nismo," Nissan's custom/high performance subsidiary. By all outward appearances, Aero Style did a lot of things right on the LEAF kit: * lowered the leading edge of the front bumper cover so it aacts more like a splitter to minimize air getting under the car. * the "fins" forward are probably to shape the air passing down the side of the body. When air curves around the front bumper it can get chaotic which then gets further messed up when it passes the wheel wells. Better to send air at the front of the car up and over the top. * smaller side mirrors -- may not be legal in USA where minimum area is 25 sq. in. * full wheel covers * the extensions at the lower edges of the body keep high pressure air from spilling out from under the car, you want that air to get all the way to the back. * rear roof-edge "spoiler," to create a Kamm-back effect. * fins at the rear keep air from curling around the back and disturbing the air bubble that follows the car. Keeping the bubble intact results in the that went over and under the car rejoining at a point well behind the car. This creates a "virtual" boat tail and greatly reduces turbulence/drag. * although not visible, a different "diffuser" the underbody piece between the rear axle and rear bumper. Absent a redesign of the basic LEAF body, it appears that the Nismo Aero Style concept addresses virtually all of the "low hanging fruit" variety aero improvements save one, that being rear wheel opening skirts. At least at this time, it appears that the Nismo aero kit is only available in Nissan supplied OEM versions in Japan. I've seen nothing yet on availability in the US as OEM or aftermarket. The official Nissan site has a full discussion of the "concept," but makes no mention of availability. I'd like to be shown otherwise.
