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Focusing on drag coefficient with computational fluid dynamics, this modern semi tractor has a few scientifically-tested design features. It’s called the Concept S, by MAN (the company).
We have the profile picture of it here that shows its aerodynamics. It looks somewhat knifelike, or maybe more fishlike. It reminds me of the front end of whales and other large marine life, which are aero- or water-dynamic – in their own ways.
This MAN concept truck though has a draf coefficient of 0.3. That means its about as aerodynamic as your average car on the road. It’s a European cabover, so it can be compared with other European cabovers, where the average drag is 0.5.
I’m a bit curious what would be require to have aerodynamics of 0.1!
In order to cut down drag as much as possible, some things have been removed … or replaced. For example, there are no rearview mirrors, because they meet the oncoming wind and slow the truck down. Instead, thin wings extend with rearview cameras.
The fuel tanks are also tucked in. Every design effort was made to minimize drag around the entire truck exterior.
When this tractor has a trailer, it is proposed it uses a “teardrop” shaped trailer — one that gets smaller as it nears the rear end of it, to further reduce drag. However, that would probably cause serious problems for loading from the back of the tractor.
