Hey guys, I have a good deal of mods planned for Turbo (our manual R58 S) almost all of which my wife is excited about. There's just one she is not convinced about; the JCW Wing. Strangely enough she is enjoying Turbo's OEM spoiler (after we discussed it's specific function) but is not a fan of them in general. Since she's studying mechanical engineering/rapid prototyping she's open to changing her mind due to performance/function, if the effect of the JCW wing is drastic enough. So I started this project to find out how much it affects drag and down force. Also, I love to understand how things work

What I discovered is there is not a lot of data readily available on our model's aerodynamics. While I'm still searching for specifics on the wing, I did find a little bit of info on the car overall.

I'm posting what I've found for a couple of reasons...
1) Help out anyone else who is searching for the same information
2) Others will be able to build on the info here so we can better understand the R58

So without further ado, here's what you clicked for...

 

Like to see what adding the GP Belly pan and diffuser does too.

 

Yes,

add this to the study


Looks like the added the JCW body kit in the end mule car with get the center underbody panels ( belly pan center ) . Also the Cooper S R58 and R59 have a more aggressive lower lip on the front bumper vs. the R56 R57 R55.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-2011-r56.html




Aerodynamic study of the GP2

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-benefits.html

 

And while I think about it... I'd be curious to see how lowering the car affects the air flow. Add to that what the optimum front to back rake angle would be.

Oh and what happens when you fold the mirrors in :-)

 

+1

 

Since I don't really have a system for cataloging right now I'm gonna post info as tidbits.

Tidbit #1
The JCW OEM rear spoiler at "top speed" (149mph), produces approx 40kg of additional downforce on the rear of the chassis.

"This spoiler is fully integrated into the styling of the helmet roof and has an opening in the centre which allows the air flow over the roof to be appropriately directed, depending on speed, either down over the rear window or to the rear spoiler. The MINI Coupé is also equipped with an active rear spoiler. Integrated in the boot lid, this spoiler pops up automatically when the MINI Coupé reaches a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). The active rear spoiler optimises the aerodynamic balance between the front and rear axles. When travelling at top speed, it produces something like 40 kilograms of extra downforce."

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...tem=node__6569

 

^^^ it's important to note the exact wording of the quote. It says the spoiler adds ~40kg of extra downforce, not a resultant 40kg of net downforce. We'd need the original lift number to get the net lift or downforce number.

As a derivational example, Infiniti offered the 1st gen G35 coupe with a "zero lift" aero package, which added a front splitter and rear spoiler to result in zero net lift. As such, the splitter and spoiler added downforce, which counteracted the bodies inherent lift.

Back to the JCW wing, it likely reduces or eliminates net rear lift at the expense of slightly greater total drag, which is an acceptable solution for the halo sports MINI. The pictures you found are already quite a bit more data than most OEM's allow to leak out, as aerodynamic IP is highly guarded data. With some supercars you'll see a tidbit in the press releases about total downforce, sometimes per axle, but that's often the only info you'll get unless you're an insider.

 

Thank you for the input Ryephile, I corrected my original statement, hopefully it better represents the press release

Your example reminded me of a Car and Driver article I read a while ago.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...omparison-test

Now I have some keywords and concepts to continue my search

 

Tidbit #2
Drag coefficient

Stock
Coupe: 0.33
Coupe S: 0.37
Coupe JCW: 0.35

Source
http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...-features.html

 

Is the only difference between the JCW and the regular Coupe the body kit? The spoilers are the same right? Thanks.

 

http://www.outmotoring.com/jcw-r58-r...r-spoiler.html

 

Yea, if you have that optional Fixed wing:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51622218750/

 

That's pretty cool the JCW is less drag than the MCS on the R58. I'm guessing the frontal area will be the same, even with the JCW aero kit. Thanks for sharing.