USA - Maxion Wheels of Novi, Michigan, USA, used the NACV Show in Atlanta last month to unveil the Maxion Wheels’ drag-reducing, patent-pending aerodynamic concept wheel cover for the steer axle on trucks, called Aerowheel.

In the USA, aerodynamic devices are shortly to be fitted ex-factory by some OEMs between the drive and tag axle on the tractor unit, namely Navistar and Volvo, see article on Flow Below. Maxion Wheels' concept is in response to requests from both fleet and OEMs, the company stated, to reduce drag around the steer wheels. It says its understanding of vehicle aerodynamics and the role a wheel plays in generating turbulence has led to the concept wheel cover. It features a stylish wheel design and includes a perforated vent gap between wheel and cover. So far, the wheel cover has been tested in simulation only; using computational fluid dynamics, the cover has proved to significantly reduce drag thereby improving fuel efficiency by as much as 1%, a stand spokesman said.  While the concept was shown on the show stand, a prototype for actual fitment and trial on trucks and buses is still to be developed.