Abstract: An airflow management cover for a vehicle subsystem arranged proximate a section of the vehicle to guide oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion includes a convex body. The convex body has an exterior surface shaped to redirect an external portion of the oncoming ambient airflow around the vehicle subsystem to thereby minimize aerodynamic drag and reduce aerodynamic lift on the vehicle body. The airflow management cover also includes an aperture defined by the convex body and configured to exhaust a stream of a subsystem portion of the oncoming airflow to rejoin with the redirected external portion of the oncoming airflow after the subsystem portion of the airflow has passed across the subsystem. The airflow management cover additionally includes a fastening flange extending from the convex body and configured for mounting to the vehicle section. A vehicle having such an airflow management cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, and also having a second body end opposite of the first body end. The vehicle also includes first and second lateral body sides disposed generally parallel to one another. The vehicle additionally includes first and second side panels mounted to the vehicle body and configured to selectively deploy into ambient airflow aft of the second body end to become positioned along the respective first and second lateral body sides and retract from the ambient airflow. The first and second side panels provide an active lengthening of the vehicle body aft of the second body end to thereby reduce aerodynamic drag when both side panels are deployed and positioned along the respective first and second lateral body sides.

Abstract: A method of controlling airflow through a grille on a front end of a vehicle comprising the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions; determining a desired percentage of airflow through the grille based on the desired operating conditions; actuating grille airflow shutters to an open position for the determined desired percentage of a predetermined time interval; and actuating the grille airflow shutter to a closed position for a remaining percentage of the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method of establishing a baseline airflow opening into an under-hood compartment of a vehicle configured to house a powertrain includes providing a fascia for the under-hood compartment. The fascia includes a first grille opening and a second grille opening configured to admit first and second portions of ambient airflow, respectively, into the under-hood compartment. A selectable position shutter assembly is disposed in the second grille opening and configured to control a size of the second grille opening. The baseline airflow opening into the under-hood compartment is the sum of the size of the first grille opening and the minimum size of the second grille opening. The method also includes ascertaining a configuration of the powertrain and setting the minimum size of the second grille opening in response to the ascertained configuration of the powertrain to establish the baseline airflow opening. A system employing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A body panel for a vehicle includes an outer lens and a light engine projecting a light into the outer lens. The body panel includes a duct, which is disposed at a substantially equal vertical elevation as the outer lens. The light engine is positioned relative to the outer lens to allow the duct to pass directly behind the outer lens, at approximately the same vertical elevation, to improve air flow through the duct.

Abstract: A body panel for a vehicle includes an outer lens and a light engine projecting a light into the outer lens. The body panel includes a duct, which is disposed at a substantially equal vertical elevation as the outer lens. The light engine is positioned relative to the outer lens to allow the duct to pass directly behind the outer lens, at approximately the same vertical elevation, to improve air flow through the duct.

Abstract: A method of controlling airflow through a grille on a front end of a vehicle comprising the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions; determining a desired percentage of airflow through the grille based on the desired operating conditions; actuating grille airflow shutters to an open position for the determined desired percentage of a predetermined time interval; and actuating the grille airflow shutter to a closed position for a remaining percentage of the predetermined time interval.