How about Visible Active Aerodynamics?

We know the Focus hatch in Europe has some sort of active aerodynamic feature with shutters blocking the grille in certain conditions. This reduces drag and improves fuel economy. As anybody who’s stuck his hand out a window will attest, wind resistance is strong even at low city speeds of about 50 km/h

Because the Focus buyer’s brochure is incredibly intricate, we can’t tell you which models have it and how it works exactly. And there’s another problem: you can’t see it, which is a shame for such a cool feature.

But what if you’d put those shutter blades on the outside of the car, say in place of the grille and acting like venetian blinds? The aerodynamic benefits would be far greater and this would also be something to brag to your friends about.

There used to be a number of special eco models designed with plastic covers instead of the usual grille. I we remember correctly, the BlueMotion Lupo from about a decade ago was especially horrible looking. No such problem here: butch grille one moment, streamlined fish cutting through the air the other.

There are of course some example of visible active aerodynamics already, but all of them are in the supercar world. The Ferrari 458 has fins at the front that bend according to the air speed and the Pagani Huayra has airplane-like flaps on its bonnet. Why can’t we have something simple on family vehicles as well. After all, they’re the ones that are using most of the world’s petrol and diesel. Every little bit counts!