Aero-P Concept fans are a great way to get downforce.
The Ariel Atom has a reputation for its minimalist design. It eschews traditional bodies in favor of an open space frame. For the Aero-P concept, the company is looking for ways to increase downforce and keep the minimalist aesthetic. The brand takes inspiration from banned racecars and adds fans to the vehicle’s body.
Two high-speed electric fans are located underneath the Aero-P, while rubber skirts wrap around the vehicle’s bottom. These skirts are activated only when the suction is most useful, such as during cornering, standing start, and braking. This tech is three times stronger than traditional wings and can be used even when the Atom is not moving. Simon Saunders, Ariel Director, said that the car will squat on the ground when the system is turned on. This is quite exciting.
Ariel discovered that the Atom’s current design was exceeding the limits of its mechanical grip. This made it difficult to improve traction and acceleration. The solution would have been to bolt a wing to its back ( similar to the Atom V8). However, this would have caused more drag and reduced fuel economy. Ariel’s engineering team looked at racecars such as the Chaparral 2J Sucker Car or BT46B Fan Car to see if fans could be used to produce downforce more selectively.
It is unlikely that you will be able to purchase an Atom that will drive itself onto the road anytime soon. Ariel says that the Aero-P is a working proof of concept to test this technology. The system is still in its early stages. The company plans to continue testing the fans but isn’t planning on making this product commercially.