If the shape with the least air-resistance is a raindrop 💧, why are most cars shaped like a backwards raindrop? 🚗

Question

I am basing my question off this [image](https://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/dragcoefficients8851096396303799158.png)

Edit: Okay, okay, I should have said “teardrop” instead of “raindrop.” Talking about the *actual* shape of raindrops doesn’t really help given the visuals I provided.

In: 558

Answer 1

Not only is it a space/design issue as many have pointed out here but also downforce (literally the *force* of air pushing the fat part of the shape *down* as it passes over) generated by pointy part being in the front makes driving at higher speeds easier.

People think nothing of it because they think, “I’m only going like 60-70mph max so what’s the big deal?” But even at like 40-50mph that downforce plays a part. It keeps the drive wheels of a rear-wheel-drive car more firmly planted and less prone to losing traction and in front-wheel-drive cars those rear wheels act as sort of stabilizers keeping traction as you maneuver. In all-wheel-drive cars the downforce basically pulls double-duty. Though those vehicles tend to get away with boxier designs like trucks and SUVs.