subject: Spoilers For Boy Racers Or A Practical Addition? [print this page] Most people see a car with a spoiler fitted to it and automatically think Boy Racer. In these days of political correctness, what they should be thinking is, Racer but who does. In many cases it is younger drivers who will modify the exterior and interior of their cars. Allowing them to express their individuality and personalising their car, making it stand out against other cars of the same model. Lets be honest it is also young people who do not have the responsibilities of families and mortgages to support that have the money to spend on these modifications.
So what does adding a spoiler, diffuser, splitter or skirt, mean for the car? Well the addition of any spoiler to the car will change the aerodynamics of the vehicle, changing the way the air flows over, or under, the vehicle. The theory of adding a rear spoiler is that as the air flows over the top of the car and hits the rear spoiler it is forced to change direction, normally being forced upwards. As the air is forced upwards it creates a down ward pressure on the back of the car, pushing the back of the car onto the road. The extra down ward force gives the rear wheels more grip, especially as the car speed increases. The extra grip allows the car to take corners at a higher speed safely.
Fitting a front spoiler, often called a splitter or diffuser is designed to force air under the car. As the air is forced under the car it is forced to travel faster than the air above it. The faster moving air causes a drop in pressure under the car. The reduction in pressure under the car means that the pressure above the car causes the car to be pushed into the road. The extra down force that is created allows the car to manoeuvre at higher speeds with greater security.
Fitting a spoiler to your Vauxhall Corsa does not mean that you will be ready to enter the next Grand Prix. The change in performance is realistically small, but it is there. The main reason for fitting a spoiler to your car is to give the impression of speed. As the opening line indicates you see a car with a spoiler fitted and you think Racer. If we thought about it logically we would realise that adding a spoiler makes little practical difference but visually it makes our car take on a whole new appearance in peoples eyes.
So go on recapture your youth and add a spoiler to your car. Embarrass your kids, scare the wife and hit your midlife crisis early. Most spoilers are quick and easy to fit and require no drilling as they are simply bonded to the car. Once sprayed up a well fitted spoiler will improve mechanical performance slightly, but will improved perceived performance immeasurably.
