Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) adapts the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle even more precisely to the driving situation, speed and selected driving mode. PAA celebrated its world premiere in the previous generation of the 911 Turbo launched in 2014. All model lines from the 718 through to the Panamera and Taycan now feature active aero-dynamic elements.
“No other sports car reacts to different situations with such aerodynamic flexibility as the new 911 Turbo S.” Dr Thomas Wiegand
“No other sports car reacts to different situations with such aerodynamic flexibility as the new 911 Turbo S. We aerodynamic engineers are normally faced with a dilemma: a low drag coefficient is desirable for maximum speed and low consumption, while a high downforce is advantageous for driving dynamics. However, the two characteristics contradict each other,” explains Dr Thomas Wiegand, Head of Aerodynamics Development at Porsche. “PAA resolves the conflicts between these different aerodynamic goals. The comprehensive expansion of the intelligent system in the 911 Turbo S makes it possible to achieve a much larger spread between the aerodynamic configurations for optimum driving dynamics and minimum drag. What is more, there is increased potential for the aerodynamic components to support specific driving dynamics demands in every driving situation.”
The active cooling air flaps are new. Together with the variable front spoiler lip as well as the extending and tilting rear wing, the new top-of-the-range model therefore features three active aerodynamic components. On top of the basic aerodynamic configurations of the 911 Turbo, namely PAA Speed and PAA Performance, this now permits realisation of an Eco configuration.
PAA has also been extended to include a Wet Mode function, which moves the aerodynamic balance towards the rear axle for greater driving stability in wet road conditions, as well as the airbrake function, which produces higher drag and greater downforce in the event of full braking at high speed and therefore results in a shorter braking distance and greater driving stability. PAA is also used for adaptation to the changed air flow around the vehicle when the sliding roof or convertible top is open. This means that there are a total of eight different aerodynamic configurations, which are each described by a specific combination of the active aerodynamic components.
The new 911 Turbo S
Improvements have not just been made in adaptation to the specific requirements in driving operation, but also as regards the aerodynamic properties themselves: the newly designed active front spoiler and rear wing have increased the downforce by 15 percent to guarantee enhanced driving stability and dynamics at higher speeds. The maximum downforce in the Performance position (Sport Plus mode activated) is now around 170 kg.
The drag coefficient (cd) of the 911 Turbo S varies depending on the aerodynamic setting. The most efficient configuration with the minimum cd value of 0.33 is achieved with closed flaps and retracted front and rear spoilers.
The cooling air flaps: continuously adjustable
The newly developed controlled cooling air flaps permit a lower driving resistance and thus reduced fuel consumption. The flaps are located in the right and left air intakes of the front apron. They are continuously adjustable and control the cooling air throughput through the radiators.
An intelligent energy management system is responsible for achieving a balance
between the current cooling requirement, the electric power required to operate the radiator fan and the aerodynamic benefit of the cooling air flaps. As a result, the cooling air flaps are closed as far as possible from a driving speed of 70 km/h. This achieves a consumption benefit in daily driving operation.
As from a speed of 150 km/h, the flaps open linearly to achieve the optimum aero-dynamic balance at high speed. Priority is also given to driving dynamics and the cooling air flaps are thus opened when the Sport, Sport Plus and Wet driving modes are active and when Porsche Stability Management (PSM) is deactivated or the spoiler button pressed.
The front spoiler: pneumatic actuation of individual segments
The active front spoiler of the 911 Turbo has been significantly enhanced. The effective aerodynamic area has been increased compared with the predecessor. Extension and retraction can now take place in a shorter time with lower pressure. Three segments can be inflated separately with the help of actuators. The two outer actuators always function synchronously. The front spoiler is made of a flexible plastic (elastomer) and can therefore be rotated so that the middle segment can be retracted or extended when the outer segments are extended. There are several adjustment possibilities:
- In the basic position, the spoiler lip is completely retracted and is fixed in position by the preload of the elastomer and by magnets on the underbody of the 911 Turbo S.
- In Speed position, only the two outer areas of the lip are extended. More air is therefore routed around the body and the lift at the front axle is reduced.
- In Performance position, all three segments of the lip are extended. This position offers performance-oriented aerodynamics with maximum possible downforce on the front axle. In this position, the embossed “911 turbo S” logo is also visible in the middle of the spoiler lip.
The control unit and air compressor are installed at the side of the luggage compartment. The pneumatic module is more compact than on the predecessor. The luggage compartment therefore has three litres more capacity. The variable front spoiler lip also increases the front overhang angle and contributes to everyday usability: the ground clearance is higher in the basic position, and is therefore suitable for parking manoeuvres or driving over speed bumps (sleeping policemen).
The rear wing: now with even more functions
Lightweight construction is used on the rear wing: the distinctive Turbo feature weighs 440 grams less than the corresponding component of the predecessor, but has an eight percent larger effective area. The basis of the wing is a foam core with forged inserts. The structure consists of an upper side with two layers of carbon-fibre re-inforced plastic (biaxial CFRP fabric) and a lower side with one layer of glass-fibre reinforced plastic (triaxial GFRP fabric). Electric adjustment of the wing – which can be extended and tilted – is performed primarily depending on the speed and selected driving mode.
Depending on the driving modes, there are now additional positions as well as the familiar Speed and Performance positions:
- The Eco position with retracted wing is now available over a large speed range so that the vehicle can be driven with minimum drag.
- The Performance II position with reduced angle of attack for speeds above 260 km/h reduces drag and decreases the load on the tyres on the rear axle: this made it possible to avoid increasing the tyre pressure. The advantage of these measures is high tyre potential in terms of longitudinal and lateral dynamics for driving performance and particularly sporty vehicle operation, such as on race tracks. Everyday usability and driving comfort also benefit from the adapted tyre pressure.
- In the second new wing position Wet, the wing is well-extended but is not yet tilted. In combination with the completely retracted front spoiler lip, the aerodynamic balance is shifted towards the rear axle when Wet mode is activated. The result is higher rear-end and driving stability, ensuring greater safety on wet road surfaces.
The new functions: Wet mode and airbrake
With the new Wet mode, the focus is on driving stability in wet conditions. If the sensors equipped as standard in the front wheel housings detect a significantly wet road surface due to spray that is swirled up, a corresponding message is displayed to the driver in the instrument cluster. The driver can then manually activate Wet mode by means of a rotary switch on the steering wheel. In addition to the above-described adaptation of the aerodynamic components, all relevant control systems are also set to maximum driving stability.
The new airbrake function is activated automatically in the event of full braking at high speeds. The front spoiler and rear wing are then moved to the Performance position. The higher drag and increased downforce can reduce the braking distance. Driving stability is also improved during braking.
The control strategy: wide aerodynamic spread
Configurations at a glance:
The PAA control strategy with spoiler button is the same as in Sport Plus mode.
In addition to the basic positions explained above, the PAA also reacts to opening of the sliding roof or convertible top. A distinction is therefore made between seven rear wing positions. Different equipment variants are also taken into account in the configurations for the individual positions. The control strategy also allows for whether the car is a Coupé or Cabriolet and whether a Sport Design package with different body contours is installed at the front and rear.
The aerodynamic innovations of Porsche
Porsche has continuously improved the aerodynamics of the 911 from generation to generation. The sports car manufacturer has also set the pace in the area of aerodynamics in many cases. Here are the most important milestones:
- As early as 1971, Porsche already fitted the first front spoiler on the 911 S. This accelerated the air flow under the vehicle and guided part of the air past at the sides, thus reducing the front-end lift.
- In 1972, a milestone in aerodynamic development was launched on the market with the Carrera RS 2.7, a car designed for motorsports: this was not just equipped with a low front apron, but featured a distinctive spoiler above the bootlid – the legendary “duck tail”.
- The first 911 Turbo celebrated its premiere in 1975. A distinctive feature was the large fixed rear spoiler with a black shell made of polyurethane (PU).
- The first model with an electrically extending rear spoiler made its debut in 1989: the 911 Carrera 4 of the 964 model series. This was the first step towards adaptive aerodynamics.
- In 2014, Porsche presented the 911 Turbo with adaptive aerodynamics. The front and rear spoilers extended here depending on speed and driving mode.
