Active grille shutters

colm_mcm

This was all the rage 5 or 6 years ago on the Ford Focus. It was claimed to boost fuel economy, and is often the way with a new car, every review done at the time mentioned it.
Did they persist with this, or was it a gimmick?

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

This was all the rage 5 or 6 years ago on the Ford Focus. It was claimed to boost fuel economy, and is often the way with a new car, every review done at the time mentioned it.
Did they persist with this, or was it a gimmick?

From a google search it seams to be in the new mustang, on us shores at least. Not sure if it's the same over here.

jca

A modern version of the sheet of cardboard the Aul fella used on the Hunter. I think they're a great idea, especially on a car that spends most of its time tipping around town.

colm_mcm

Is it still on the Focus?

R.O.R

There's special "Active Vein" versions of the new LandRover Discovery, with lower Co2 (and **** wheels)

Damien360

I thought the BMW's did that first. Active air or something like that. Google will tell me if i was bothered. Always wondered if it would effect the cooling of the engine particularly at higher speeds with no air flow over the radiator. Am I wrong ?

Del2005

jca wrote: »

A modern version of the sheet of cardboard the Aul fella used on the Hunter. I think they're a great idea, especially on a car that spends most of its time tipping around town.

It's not a great idea to restrict air flow to a vehicle in town. The only advantage it could possibly give is reduced air drag and at town speeds that isn't an issue, the lack of air for the radiators is though.

jca

Del2005 wrote: »

It's not a great idea to restrict air flow to a vehicle in town. The only advantage it could possibly give is reduced air drag and at town speeds that isn't an issue, the lack of air for the radiators is though.

What I meant was, for a car that was only doing short trips, it makes a big difference to the length of time it takes to warm up. It applied more to old cars like the Hunter with a mechanically driven cooling fan. Obviously the driver would need to remember it was there and keep an eye on the temperature gauge.

hi5

Rolls Royce had them nearly 100 years ago..

jca

hi5 wrote: »

Rolls Royce had them nearly 100 years ago..

Operated by a lever on the dash in conjunction with keeping an eye on the temperature gauge. It certainly wouldn't suit your average Irish ford focus driver!!

PukkaStukka

colm_mcm wrote: »

Is it still on the Focus?

Why doesn't someone answer the man's question??? ^^^^

Kimbot

PukkaStukka wrote: »

Why doesn't someone answer the man's question??? ^^^^

Because only smarties have the answer :pac:

Duke O Smiley

Maserati Levante has it too

Kimbot

This is from 2014 but they say Ford plan to use it more in the future:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/active-grille-shutters-are-latest-way-to-improve-fuel-efficiency.html

frozenfrozen

new 7 series has it too. closes on motorways to keep the engine warm and lower drag according to the man talking in the video I'm watching about the new alpina b7 xdrive

marketty

On aircraft the same things are called 'cowl flaps'

marketty

marketty wrote: »

On aircraft the same things are called 'cowl flaps'

My missus has them too,
locked tight :P

pajo1981

e90 from '08 has it. Engine heats up much faster, which is a blessing when you're doing shorter trips.

Damien360

BrownFinger wrote: »

My missus has them too,
locked tight :P

Is that why you got a brown finger




.............gets coat

millington

Some Jap AE86 Corollas had an active grill that was temperature controlled


New Maserati SUV has them aswell

Stallingrad

New 5 series has them.

martinr5232

colm_mcm wrote:

This was all the rage 5 or 6 years ago on the Ford Focus. It was claimed to boost fuel economy, and is often the way with a new car, every review done at the time mentioned it. Did they persist with this, or was it a gimmick?

Still have them they close when the car is cold to get it upto operating temp quicker.