The Z1 has remarkable aerodynamics for a roadster. The design of the underbody has a major influence on this. The whole of the underneath of the car is covered by a flat composite undertray which is designed to smooth the airflow to the rear wing, which is the silencer and bodywork at the rear of the car.
The rear downforce is created by a low pressure area generated by the effect of the airofoil section of the transverse rear silencer box, and it’s nearby body parts which work as aerofoil slats.
The front downforce is created by a high pressure area at the front edge of the bonnet (hood for our transatlantic cousins). The forward part of this body section is a concave curve, before turning convex as is more normal. A high pressure area is created just above the front wheels.
aerofoil exhaust box section
Air flow pattern around the Z1 rear exhaust box and body panels.
The rear silencer is an inverted wing, and the rear fender and undertray work as aerodynamic slots or flaps to increase the negative lift at road speeds.
