I was looking on www.topgear.com (yep i have another marvel for you all) and found this.

The Article
http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/3137/

The technology in it is superb as its so clever. The way it works can only be benificial for track day enthusiasts or race team owners as its such a good bit of kit

The Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73-3epSENYg

I think its brilliant. If they could make it functional with different designs i can see the spoiler being a big hit for customisers and race teams world wide. Its a see it to believe it type of product.

I definatly would like one.

The idea has already been thought of. It is genius, but already been done. But it has not been widely used.

I remember a concept car that Mitsubishi made that utilizes the same principle...

1989 Mitsubishi HSR II concept car:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1989-mitsubishi-hsr-concept-car3.htm


http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1989-mitsubishi-hsr-concept-car-6.jpg



EDIT: BTW, most racing series' do not allow the use of active spoilers.

The idea has already been thought of. It is genius, but already been done. But it has not been widely used.

I remember a concept car that Mitsubishi made that utilizes the same principle...

1989 Mitsubishi HSR II concept car:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1989-mitsubishi-hsr-concept-car3.htm


http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1989-mitsubishi-hsr-concept-car-6.jpg



EDIT: BTW, most racing series' do not allow the use of active spoilers.
you do realize those were used as airbrakes right? kind of like the Gallardo's and SLR's rear spoiler. they only come up during hard braking.

plus the said wing is not powered. it depends on weight transfer and wind resistance.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1989-mitsubishi-hsr-concept-car-4.jpg

Uhhh, this should get the point across.....

well still, not old technology. considering they're making it work with no hydraulics or electronics. like i said, it all depends on weight transfer and wind resistance.

Not old technology, but (not so) old concept. Too bad motorsports frown at the concept of active aerodynamics because racing would look a bit more interesting.....

well still, not old technology. considering they're making it work with no hydraulics or electronics. like i said, it all depends on weight transfer and wind resistance.

It does not work on its own, its probably powered by small actuators.

An on-board computer constantly monitors acceleration, braking and lateral acceleration so it can actively change the pitch of the wing's sections in real-time as the car is being driven

Can you put that on any normal car?

active spoilers are quite frankly badass. nothing bothers me more than seeing some ricers rolling around with real spoilers and thing how much fuel their wasting by creating down force all the time, for no reason.

in racing circuits there's times where the down force is really only slowing you down. to selectively become more aerodynamic and achieve greater speeds while using down force when needed to greatest benefit would be the ultimate.

It's cool, but like AWD said, not that new of technology....

Alas though, it will never come to play in F1, because a couple of years ago (2006 if I'm right [correct me if I'm wrong]), the "flexi-wing" design for the rear wing on F1 cars was outlawed (as well as a flexible front wing)...

I wouldn't mind putting it on my Volvo though...:p

active spoilers are quite frankly badass. nothing bothers me more than seeing some ricers rolling around with real spoilers and thing how much fuel their wasting by creating down force all the time, for no reason.

in racing circuits there's times where the down force is really only slowing you down. to selectively become more aerodynamic and achieve greater speeds while using down force when needed to greatest benefit would be the ultimate.

Exactly.

You reckon they have a patent on the front splitter too?

If not I'll start working on it now...

Chris.