Yahoo Autos How the Aston Martin DB11 Generates Downforce Without a Wing
Aston Martin had an interesting problem when developing its new grand tourer, the DB11. The car needed to generate real downforce at speed, but the company didn't want to resort to something so gauche as a big rear wing. Aston's solution is called Aeroblade, and it's one of the most fascinating things about the car.
Air is directed to an opening at the DB11's C-pillar, where it is then channeled into ducts within the bodywork. That air exits out of a tiny opening on the rear decklid, pressing the rear wheels into the surface just like a wing. Any excess air that channels over the roof is dealt with by a deployable spoiler that raises at higher speeds.
Aston Martin isn't the first to channel air through the body–the Ford GT, Acura NSX, McLaren 570S, and Ferrari 488 all use similar concepts–but no one does it more elegantly. If you didn't know what you were looking for, you probably wouldn't even notice the Aeroblade.
That's not the only interesting aerodynamic trick up the DB11's sleeve, though. Aston illustrates them all in this helpful video. My favorite element is the arm that attaches the mirror to the body, which acts as a small wing.
This serves as further proof that we live in an golden age for automotive aerodynamics.
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