Heading 1: The 2024 S650 Mustang: A New Generation of Aerodynamics

The 2024 S650 Mustang is the latest generation of Ford’s iconic muscle car. While it may not look drastically different from its predecessor, the team at Ford spent over 250 hours in the latest generation of wind tunnels to ensure that the car is as aerodynamically efficient as possible. The use of the latest wind tunnel technology has allowed Ford to simulate air moving over the car and the road moving under it, resulting in a more accurate representation of real-world driving conditions.

Heading 2: The Rolling Road Wind Tunnel

The Rolling Road Wind Tunnel is capable of simulating speeds of up to 200 mph (322 km/h) and can move enough air to fill a K-Class blimp in just five seconds. This state-of-the-art wind tunnel technology allows engineers and designers to do more in-house testing, ultimately improving the cars that are on the road and reducing costs.

Heading 3: Testing While the Wheels and Tires Move

According to John Toth, Ford’s wind tunnel engineering supervisory for North America, “The closer we can get to reality in the lab, the better and faster we can create more energy-efficient vehicles with great on-road and track stability.” Testing while the wheels and tires move is instrumental in improving aerodynamics for track-ready vehicles like the Mustang Dark Horse, which has to balance both aerodynamic drags and downforce.

Heading 4: Utilizing Multiple Treadmills

Ford’s latest wind tunnel doesn’t just use a single treadmill, though. It can utilize up to five. The system has one belt per wheel, then a fifth one that runs under the middle of the car. If need be, the car can be craned onto a bigger, single-belt treadmill for higher speeds.

Heading 5: The Design of the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse

The wind tunnel testing was used in the design of the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, which led to the implementation of a Gurney flap, a lower air spoiler and splitter, and unique wheels, all designed to help with its performance on and off the track. According to Jonathan Gesek, program aerodynamicist for Mustang and Bronco, “The aerodynamics of Mustang Dark Horse, along with several other factors, have created the most track- and street-capable 5.0-liter Mustang to date.”

Heading 6: Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2024 S650 Mustang is a new generation of aerodynamics that benefits from the use of the latest wind tunnel technology. The Rolling Road Wind Tunnel allows for more accurate testing of real-world driving conditions, resulting in more energy-efficient vehicles with great on-road and track stability. The use of multiple treadmills and testing while the wheels and tires move further improves the accuracy of wind tunnel testing. The design of the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse is a testament to the effectiveness of this technology, resulting in the most track- and street-capable 5.0-liter Mustang to date.