The bump would add more frontal surface area, which would like cause a lot more drag than what would be saved from having the wheels covered. You "could" implement a differential steering scheme if you wanted to cover the front tires, but that would likely be a project and a half..
When I think flexible, all I see is:
- Heavy structure to hold and deform the flexible part
- Wear of the flexible material
- Flexible material can not resist to wind turbulance and therefore does about the same job as nothing at all (it deforms withthe air pressures)
Or I am being pesimistic.
All kidding aside, though... an intriguing question. I agree with Foxpaw about greater frontal area, but the "flexible" part is interesting. How about... a front-hinged spring-loaded cover, Holicow? I am nowhere near talented enough to illustrate this, but I'm sure some of you good people can come up with something... elegant...
__________________
Driving on down the road in my 2001 CVT, going "Boogety Boogety" ...and until avatars are provided, my car looks just like the original silver Insight on the header, above... =)
The wheels are pointed straight ahead, or very nearly so, probably 99+% of the time, so it would be counter-productive to design a "bubble" on the side to accomodate the turning wheel, right?
If something were closer to the wheel, and moved with it (in one way or another), it would "stick out" and increase frontal surface area only when the wheel was turned sharply. This would only happend at low speed when drag ain't a big deal anyway.
OK, here's what I had imagined (actually 2 options):
Option1: Picture a motorcycle front fender. One that extends about 1/2 way down from the top of the wheel. It would be mounted to the wheel spindle behind the wheel, and of course pivot with the wheel. This is probably the easier of the two, but clearance issues inside the wheel well may be an issue.
Option 2: Regarding my "flexible" tease: It consists of 2 parts. Part 1 is a skirt, in the fashion of the rear skirt, except made out of something firm, but rather stretchy if pressed on, such as polyurethane, or some similar polymer. I guess it also could be rigid and spring-loaded, as someone already mentioned.
Part 2 (Option 2) With either rubber or rigid skirt, there would have to be something mounted similarly as the fender in 1. to "push" the skirt out when the wheel is turned sharply. It would not have to be "solid" like the fender, but could be just a small, curved bar. The bar pushes the flexible skirt from the inside, Get it?
__________________
2000 #893
LMPG 73.3, same speed too
On the motorcycle wheel front fender... I wonder what (if any) aero advantages occur as a resulkt of having a solid metal piece facing the wind, as opposed to a rotating torus (the naked wheel). Obviously, if the wheel is being turned to such a degree, it would happen at low speeds, where aero would not be such a factor.
The other options also may negate any apparent positive value in aero efficiency by increasing weight and complexity in an exquisitely-designed light vehicle...
It's too early in the morning, I have to ponder this a bit more... thanks for busying up my already busy day... now, where is that cup of coffee?
__________________
Driving on down the road in my 2001 CVT, going "Boogety Boogety" ...and until avatars are provided, my car looks just like the original silver Insight on the header, above... =)
You would need the same mechanisim on the bottom part to move out also.
The rail could be a simple alum tube around a rod and a vertical stub to be pushes out.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Front Wheel Skirts???
:P 
