KTM aroused attention and curiosity by introducing a sort of nose complete with a micro front wing protruding from the mudguard, while Aprilia showed another aerodynamic concept that is destined to cause much discussion in the MotoGP paddock at the rear. The inspiration always comes from F1 which has been studying certain development paths for a few decades, while the transposition to the world of two wheels, as well as being complicated, makes certain concepts very innovative when applied to motorbikes.
Marco De Luca, Head of Vehicle of Aprilia Racing, who had lived his experience in F1 with the winning Ferrari of the Schumacher era as an aerodynamicist, never lacks brilliant ideas: the engineer from Ravenna, after having patented in June a solution that was accepted in December, thanks to which it explains how to generate downforce when the bike is at maximum inclination, has seen fit to introduce the first… diffuser on the new RS-GP.
Aprilia RS-GP: here is the tail with a single wing and a small cantilevered profile
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Initially the attention fell on the upper part of the tail which has only two lateral profiles and a small cantilevered flap, in addition to the single fin instead of the triplanes which we have seen proliferating on many motorbikes, but the eye had to go down to the lower part which it was cleverly designed to build a channel that acted as an extractor profile.
Aprilia RS GP: here is the rear diffuser under the tail
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Of course there are losses due to the turbulence of the rear wheel, but there is one of the two exhausts which has been placed inside the tunnel and, thanks to the blowing of the hot gases, accelerates the flow trend, improving the air extraction. The two vertical bulkheads on the sides of the rear wheel, anchored to the rear swingarm, are also two useful elements for cleaning up the trail for greater efficiency of the diffuser.
It will be interesting to understand what the pilots' reaction will be to this innovation which will not be easily copied immediately because it requires careful CFD work and, above all, in the wind tunnel. A new line of development has opened up which is destined to revolutionize the aerodynamic concepts of MotoGP…
#MotoGP #Aprilia #diffuser #blower #exhaust
