Sincerely, I think the wedge shape (triangular, trapezium...) is the best of automotive design since the 1970s experimentation (Detomaso) and 1980s success (all JDM cars) and 1990s slow fading (Proton Saga and Honda NSX). Think for a while: those rounded cars have been the rule between the 1920s and 1960s. All those "golden era" sports cars used and abused from curves learnt from aviation, but more for a desire of function than a purpose. While thinking about aerodynamics with the help of Julian Edgar (he has a YT chanel dedicated to aerodynamics), I managed to understand that with sharp lines you can manage the airflow instead of simply break through. And I put "break through" in the sense that making the car slippery and curvy wont work long enough. The trend of bubble cars from the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s is finally over. Hyundai making the Ioniq, Tesla punching with the Cybertruck and, as much as haters brag against, they can't deny the impact. The Cybertruck is, actually, more aerodynamic than everyone think; if equipped with a comparable diesel drivetrain, it beats 90% of the other basic pickups on fuel saving. The curvy lines of the Savanna FD are better suited for a highway race, where turning isn't a big factor. While the (light) body of the Savanna FB is best for drifting and the FC is ultimate grand touring Mazda machine on circuits. I don't know if Shigeno took that in consideration while writing Initial-D, but you clearly understand why he fondly pampers the Corolla Sprinter and Savanna FC. But there were bigger monsters around, Nissan Fairlady and Toyota Supra, Subaru Vortex and Mitsubishi Starion. Even the obsucre Isuzu Piazza becomes a monster for racing.
There is something special about old wedge sports cars. They have their place in automotive history. Its nice seeing other enthusiasts keeping them alive.
Sincerely, I think the wedge shape (triangular, trapezium...) is the best of automotive design since the 1970s experimentation (Detomaso) and 1980s success (all JDM cars) and 1990s slow fading (Proton Saga and Honda NSX). Think for a while: those rounded cars have been the rule between the 1920s and 1960s. All those "golden era" sports cars used and abused from curves learnt from aviation, but more for a desire of function than a purpose.
While thinking about aerodynamics with the help of Julian Edgar (he has a YT chanel dedicated to aerodynamics), I managed to understand that with sharp lines you can manage the airflow instead of simply break through. And I put "break through" in the sense that making the car slippery and curvy wont work long enough. The trend of bubble cars from the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s is finally over. Hyundai making the Ioniq, Tesla punching with the Cybertruck and, as much as haters brag against, they can't deny the impact. The Cybertruck is, actually, more aerodynamic than everyone think; if equipped with a comparable diesel drivetrain, it beats 90% of the other basic pickups on fuel saving.
The curvy lines of the Savanna FD are better suited for a highway race, where turning isn't a big factor. While the (light) body of the Savanna FB is best for drifting and the FC is ultimate grand touring Mazda machine on circuits. I don't know if Shigeno took that in consideration while writing Initial-D, but you clearly understand why he fondly pampers the Corolla Sprinter and Savanna FC. But there were bigger monsters around, Nissan Fairlady and Toyota Supra, Subaru Vortex and Mitsubishi Starion. Even the obsucre Isuzu Piazza becomes a monster for racing.
There is something special about old wedge sports cars. They have their place in automotive history. Its nice seeing other enthusiasts keeping them alive.