2009+ Honda Fit - ideal rear design for Kammback
 

I saw a 2009 Honda Fit in the metal for the first time a little while ago (yes, I live a sheltered life) and the very first thing I noticed was how the rear lines have really pronounced plan & profile taper:

http://blog.wired.com/cars/images/20...t_press_61.jpg


The converging arcs suggest the beginning of a proper teardrop/airfoil shape.

Which of course led me to think: it would be an ideal starting point for a very organic Kammback extension to improve aero.

That seems to be the trend in new cars, an "incorporated" Kammback. Check out the 3-door Citroen C4.
http://citroen.cardroom.com.pl/graf/glowna_big.jpg

Here's another example, from a different weight class. The Renault Trafic and Opel Vivaro van has rear light columns which aren't flush with the sides or the back, but allow the sides to curve inward, sort of like the sides of a short Kammback.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...i_115_Heck.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...r_20070926.jpg

Look at the Fit Sport - it has a lip spoiler at the top, built just right for aero. :D

http://image.automobilemag.com/f/rev...ofile_view.jpg

I gotta say I love the Fit, and a boat tail on it would be soooooooooo sweet. Just give it a lower 5th gear and you would really be cranking out some awesome mileage!

Hi,

I think you can get it with 15" steel wheels -- so you can put smooth wheel covers on it! A grill block for the upper grill would also be an easy thing to do...

I had to go looking for a good pic of the car without that spoiler, because I don't think it's an ideal design for MPG - appears to me to angle upward slightly from the angle at the end of the roof, rather than continuing the downward sweep of the roofline.

A coworker has one, and it follows the same line as the last bit of the roof. I think the bumps for the hinges play some optical tricks.

You're right, though, that it could curve down a bit more for the best aerodynamics.

I dream of opening the door my garage and finding a Citroén C4 Diesel in my space. Once Honda rivals the utility, efficiency, and emissions of European counterparts, I'll be the first to sign up.

If the Fit is indeed as efficient as most Euro-spec 3- or 5-door hatchbacks, I applaud them. If not, I patiently await...

RH77

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...0&d=1235541002
Just having some fun with Gimp (free photoshop knock-off). It would need some glass to work.

:DFastPlastis -

That is sooooooooo cool! That (probably accidental?) rear window detail from the stretch is totally mannerist. If I were doing a teaser-ad, I would only show that window :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1235542477

CarloSW2

.

Yeah didn't even notice that till you mentioned it.

Ok I went all out Ecomodder style on it this time. Kammback, Moon disks, Wheel skirts, Front wheel deflectors, antenna delete and of course a grill block

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...2&d=1235552400

One word: Insight.

Same platform as the Fit, but the taper starts earlier and continues farther back and farther down.

Looks a lot like that Citroen, actually.
http://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/...ight-jdm-2.jpg

I took a closer look at the Fit here at work. The middle does taper down, but the two sides have a little flare up. I wonder what purpose that serves...

http://image.motortrend.com/f/821137...ar_spoiler.jpg

M-a-r-k-e-t-i-n-g.

My friend and I were looking at the spoiler on my Fit yesterday. It's purely ascetic and has no function. I figure if I continued the shape for another 1 1/2 feet I wouldn't loose rear visibility and make a big difference in the low pressure back there. I plan to build one once it gets a bit warmer and I figure out how to take the spoiler off without breaking anything. Also, if you look at mid 2000 Mitsubishi Evo, they have vortex eliminators on the upper part of the rear window. this made the air flow cleaner, I wonder how hard it would be to put that into play with a Partial Kammback for the fit.

Fit
 

It would make a great project car.