Wings and spoilers, although often used interchangeably, have distinct purposes on a car.
Wings in a car are simply an upside-down air-foil, if an air-foil generates lift then an upside-down air-foil generates downforce. The pressure difference changes from the top to bottom, and wings are only required for cars that go fast and require more downforce than a normal car.
The spoiler is simple, it is only a small part that disturbs airflow at the back to generate a slight downforce that helps maintain the car level.
Spoiler:
Disrupts airflow over the car's body to achieve various goals.
Can reduce drag, prevent turbulence around the rear window, or improve the efficiency of other aerodynamic elements.
Typically a smaller, less prominent addition compared to a wing.
Wing:
Designed specifically to generate downforce, pushing the car down onto the road for better handling at high speeds.
Works by deflecting air both above and below the wing, creating an area of high pressure underneath.
Often larger and more prominently positioned than a spoiler, resembling an airplane wing.
Think of a spoiler like a gentle nudge, guiding the airflow in a specific direction.
A wing is more like a forceful push, creating significant downforce.
