SPOILER ALERT

To most people, the word aerodynamics means downforce, but it’s actually a huge field of scientific study, pioneered by the aeronautical industry. There’s a lot more to aerodynamics than mere downforce, too — drag through air, wind noise and overall stability are key considerations. These things are as important to the design of a Porsche SUV as they are to one of the brand’s sports cars, and arguably more important again when considering an open-topped model, such as those showcased in this issue of 911 & Porsche World. Across the following pages, we track the development of Porsche’s expertise in aerodynamics through the years, culminating in the latest active aero technology.

Aerodynamic drag is one of the easiest measurements to comprehend. As a car travels through air, the air exerts a drag force in the opposite direction. It’s not difficult to understand how a London bus, for example, will experience more drag at a given speed than, say, a 911. While drag is largely determined by the frontal area of a car, it is also proportional to the speed squared, meaning at higher speeds, the engine has to work much