During the development of the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse which will go on sale this summer Asking price $60,865Ford took advantage of access to a new rolling road wind tunnel capable of simulating speeds of up to 200 mph.
The result is that the track-focused Mustang has the most downforce of any Mustang ever equipped with a 5.0-liter V-8 when equipped with the available handling package.
The rolling road wind tunnel essentially combines a traditional wind tunnel with a rolling surface. Each wheel gets its own belt that works just like a treadmill. Alternatively, a single large belt can be used.
This setup allows the test vehicle’s wheels to spin at realistic speeds rather than remaining static, which Ford says allows engineers to gather more accurate drag and downforce data. This is especially true when testing aerial effects different wheel patterns.
“Testing the wheels and tires while they are in motion goes a long way toward improving the aerodynamics of track-ready vehicles like the Mustang Dark Horse, which must balance both aerodynamic drag and downforce,” said John Toth, Ford North American wind tunnel technical supervisor. .
Such testing is not only beneficial for high-performance vehicles that require downforce to adhere to the road surface. For conventional vehicles, especially electric vehicles, low drag is essential for efficiency and, as a result, range.
Aeroacoustics is another important factor that engineers consider, especially for electric vehicles. These days, much more attention is paid to the sound the wind makes when a vehicle is traveling down the highway during development. Quiet-running electric motors have revealed annoying wind noise previously suppressed by a vehicle’s internal combustion engine and exhaust system.
Finally, the rolling road surface enables many tests that previously required driving on open roads in the lab, which Ford says saves cost and vehicle development time.
HIGH RESOLUTION GALLERY: 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rolling Road Wind Tunnel Testing
This article was originally published by Motor Authorityeditorial partner ClassicCars.com
