Civic Hatch Aero devices
 

Hi, I spotted that a neighbours Honda Civic hatch back has some small aero devices in the read quarter panels. Does anyone know the purpose of these?

I would guess something along the lines of "increased stability at speed", but that's a wild stab in the dark.

You can see the devices in this image below the rear light;

http://www.forcegt.com/wp-content/up...ar-quarter.jpg

Apologies if this is a pea-roast.

If you are talking about the indent in the sheet metal that sort of looks like a vertical vent slot I can only guess.

My guess is that the original rear end curve caused uneven detachment of air, resulting in drag from buffeting.

This small strip allows the air a clean sharp edge in which to detach cleanly.

A plan view of wind tunnel testing with a before and after would be able to confirm my best guess.

I do not think we will get this level of confirmation, however sometimes manufacturers provide little hints in videos posted on YouTube.

Do a search and see what you can dig up.

device
 

I also vote: anti-buffeting.
Added only after bi-stable flow/flutter showed up in the wind tunnel during development testing, and a clay-modeler 'fixed' it with this lip to force separation right there.Hucho calls any of these additions 'palliatives.'