I did some A-B-A testing today on the
U.F.O. (2000 Honda Insight 5-speed).
With five relatively simple aerodynamic mods/deletions (not shown in the above pic) ...
- partial grille block
- deleted passenger side mirror
- flat-folded driver's outside mirror (from a Suzuki Swift)
- deleted wiper arms: passenger side & hatchback
- deleted stock front licence plate bracket (flush mounted plate)
(List is in order of
estimated effect of each mod on drag reduction, from most to least effective.)
I measured a
14% gain in MPG at 80 km/h / 50 mph: 94.6 mpg (US) vs. 82.9 mpg.
I tested the mods collectively: ie. the "group" of mods was in place for the "A" runs; reverted all mods to stock setup for the "B" runs.
Note: testing was done with the car's hybrid functions completely disabled. (Since I got the car, I've been driving it with IMA switched OFF to protect the near-dead high voltage battery pack from further damage.)
All of which means: those steady state MPG numbers simply show the advantages of a small, efficient lean burn engine + tall gearing + good aerodynamics! No electric assist was involved (which possibly would have made the numbers slightly better).
It's exciting to see how "expanding" the car's lean burn "envelope" can pay big dividends! (Moreso than these same mods done to a non-lean burn vehicle, I mean.)
I will report back with the raw data & some photos later.