Mercedes’ C-Class Aerodynamics Tweak

Mercedes says its new C-Class benefits from "ventilated tail lights," replacing conventional spoiler lips. The ventilated tail lights are made possible by a twin rubber drainage channel in which the rainwater is collected and conducted away to the sides by the slipstream. The patented design also helps to keep water from the rear window for better visibility, Mercedes says. When the C-Class is being driven, air is sucked in from the underbody and conducted behind the tail lights to flow out of the small ventilating slits in the lenses. According to the firm, the exterior design teaks helps to account for the model’s Cd value of 0.27. This, and other design elements, make the new C-Class “the most aerodynamically efficient notchback saloon in its market segment.” I haven’t checked this, but where do you start? What does BMW say? Or even Audi?