"Grill" under left front of 2007 T5

[JDVKTM]

View attachment Underbody Cooling grid left front.jpg

 

[JDVKTM]

please assist,
I am in the process of replacing the steel underbody protection plate with an aluminum plate
the steel plate has a ventilation grid left front but the aluminum plate not ?
What is it ventilating and how important is it ?

Thanks
Johan

 

[JDVKTM]

I have subsequently established that my 2007 T7 cali has a fuel cooler to improve fuel efficiency .

 

[AlanC]

Not something we have a call for in the UK!
Could be a big rain water drain hole I suppose