Alllll right, kill that spoiler already! That's the worst bit. The rest of it's tolerable until you need to drive the car through a snowbank, at which point its status changes to "was tolerable" and you're throwing bits of bumper into the trunk.
Very cool project, and it sure helps distinguish the Insight from the Prius. The wheels don't seem particularly aero. But you can probably pick and choose the pieces of the kit you want to buy and install.
I hope all those blue arrows are included. Wouldn't want your airflow to get confused and go in the wrong direction.
Really, it needs a humongous decal so you can't see out the windshield. That rear wing looks like takes care of your rear vision pretty good. The triangular exhaust pipe looks like it might have been a Masdaspeed castoff.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a good idea? It combines sportiness and efficiency to make a fun and responsible car. Also, no loud exhaust. I don't know if I'd buy one, but it's much better option than a Prius.
@weatherman: Lift and drag are directly proportional. At steady state L=D (assuming no friction or other losses). So theoretically with zero lift there is also zero drag. I'm assuming this is what they were after, but "Zero Drag" doesn't sound as good for marketing.
@engineerd - fighting zombies one sign at a time: No, this is not zero drag, its just generating enough downforce with the body kit to counteract the lift generated by the natural shape of the body. You pay for both the beneficial and negative lift, so there's more drag than the standard body, assuredly.
@Jellodyne: That was what I thought at first, and in reality it is probably true. Which would kind of make this whole body kit stupid since it would hurt gas mileage.
@Van Sarockin: Oooh, good point. That is a big demographic.
@engineerd - fighting zombies one sign at a time: At steady state, Lift = Weight, Drag = Thrust...lift and drag are orthogonal vectors. But yes, they are proportional. Parasitic drag should be a bigger concern than lift induced drag though, or rather where parasitic drag and lift-induced drag are equal (this is where drag is minimuzed). Here is the lift to drag relationship for lift-induced drag: Cdi = (Cl^2) / (pi * AR * e). This is for a finite wing (so it's a little out of place for a car), but the same principles apply. AR is aspect ratio (span^2/area), e is how close to an elliptical wing the surface is. An elliptical wing minimizes drag due to lift, but is not always chosen for other reasons (usually stall characteristics on an aircraft).
@targataco: Holy crap, 5 years of engineering school just came rushing back. Thanks for the refresher. You get a heart clicky, too, my geeky friend.
FYI...I have an aerospace engineering degree, but have been functionally a mechanical engineer ever since graduating. Lift and drag haven't played a big part of my career although I studied them ad nausium in school.
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
it's more 240Z shaped with a longer nose, which looks good now that I see it (not so bulldog) but if only you could get rid of those stupid corners of the lights. If I bought one I'd cover up those hookthings on the lights with a body-coloured piece of plastic.
I can see the 240Z in this one... reminds me of the 240Z concept from some years ago
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I think they should consider changing it to something a little more sonorous.
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I hope all those blue arrows are included. Wouldn't want your airflow to get confused and go in the wrong direction.
Really, it needs a humongous decal so you can't see out the windshield. That rear wing looks like takes care of your rear vision pretty good. The triangular exhaust pipe looks like it might have been a Masdaspeed castoff.
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Does it increase fuel econ, or does it increase handling?
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Looks nice though. I like the front end, though I could do without rear spoiler.
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@Van Sarockin: Oooh, good point. That is a big demographic.
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FYI...I have an aerospace engineering degree, but have been functionally a mechanical engineer ever since graduating. Lift and drag haven't played a big part of my career although I studied them ad nausium in school.
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Also, with that aero kit wouldn't the smug factor go down? Or would it stay the same but with added ricer factor?
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I can see the 240Z in this one... reminds me of the 240Z concept from some years ago
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