Mercedes creates "aero trailer" concept to improve big rig fuel efficiency

[Espeefan]

Honestly, I think you'd be surprised at just how aerodynamic those COEs made in Europe are. I bet they are not as bad as you think. Probably as good, if not better then North America's best conventionals. Europe is pretty strict about fuel consumption. The design is not so much about the total frontal area of the cab, but rather how the air flows around it, or through it. The grill openings and ducts you see let the air through smoothly, and whatever doesn't flow through, flows around. It's a pretty rounded design despite it looking like a wall.