Mazda 3 aero animation ( hatch ) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Cd · 09-24-2009, 09:27 PM

This is all CG, so who knows if it is truly accurate or not. It seems to suggest that the Mazda engineers extended the edges of the taillights and gave them a sharp edge to control the wake better.

I have a '93 Civic that has rounded edges on the taillights - similar to MetoMPGs' car. I wonder if a trip strip would be beneficial ( A simple piece of tape is all that would be needed )

Anyways, back on topic -> the aerodynamics of the Mazda 3.
So it looks like they put some flat panels under the car too. Do U.S. cars have these modifications too ? ( This is the Euro version )

Cd · 09-24-2009, 09:32 PM

It looks as if the spoiler in front of the wheels has a hole in the center.
I wonder what they are suggesting about the A pillar area.
Eventhough the grille area looks larger in the new 'smilee' face version, it would appear that the area hasn't changed all that much - just moved around into a new shape.

RobertSmalls · 09-24-2009, 10:05 PM

This video is excellent. It shows you a handful of little tweaks Mazda found, and it helps you visualize each one. Mazda is aeromodding the Mazda3.

In the shot of the A pillar, they deleted the rain channel, or more likely just made it smaller. Something I will test on the Insight.

As for the hole in the front fender deflector, I have no idea why, but since it's there, I can only surmise that it was found to reduce Cd, somehow.

RobertSmalls · 09-24-2009, 10:08 PM

Regarding your taillights: an abrupt end to a body (i.e. a Kammback) makes good aerodynamic sense. A suddenly truncated tail outperforms a rounded one. That's why small trunk lid spoilers and Bangle Butts are used, and it's why the Chevy Volt's rear is creased.

Cd · 09-24-2009, 11:12 PM

Indeed !
Here is a very good video of the Volvo C-30 in the wind tunnel. Note what the fellow says at 2:50 on the video. Adding a sharp edge saves 5-6 liters of fuel a year.

windrider919 · 09-25-2009, 01:05 AM

The videos show exactly why I wanted to do CFD instead of tuft testing on my truck project. All my research showed that LITTLE STRIPS and RIDGES do make a difference worth persuing

2000mc · 09-25-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

As for the hole in the front fender deflector, I have no idea why, but since it's there, I can only surmise that it was found to reduce Cd, somehow.

i am suspect that it isnt for least drag, but compromise for brake cooling. the video of the area after shows the remaining air flow moved toward the caliper/rotor instead of simply floundering around the wheel well.

lunarhighway · 09-25-2009, 02:23 AM

i've noticed the hole in the wheel dam on some other cars, i think the vw golf has this in some way, and i fiat minivan i seen on the road here sometimes...if i'm correct... i'd assume it's for break cooling as it seems to allow air to remain flowwing up into the arch in the video...

pgfpro · 09-25-2009, 02:44 AM

Cd you always find the coolest stuff!!!

It amazes me how a little sharp angle can make this much of a difference.

09-25-2009, 01:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
windrider919 EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alvin, Texas Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	some justification on what I wanted to do The videos show exactly why I wanted to do CFD instead of tuft testing on my truck project. All my research showed that LITTLE STRIPS and RIDGES do make a difference worth persuing

09-25-2009, 02:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
lunarhighway Master EcoModder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: belgium Posts: 663 vectra a - '95 Opel Vectra GLS 90 day: 37.51 mpg (US) Thanks: 14 Thanked 61 Times in 44 Posts	i've noticed the hole in the wheel dam on some other cars, i think the vw golf has this in some way, and i fiat minivan i seen on the road here sometimes...if i'm correct... i'd assume it's for break cooling as it seems to allow air to remain flowwing up into the arch in the video... __________________ aer·o·dy·nam·ics: the science of passing gass i can coast for miles and miles and miles

09-25-2009, 02:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
pgfpro In Lean Burn Mode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,530 MisFit Talon - '91 Eagle Talon TSi Team Turbocharged! 90 day: 39.03 mpg (US) Warlock - '71 Chevy Camaro Fe Eclipse - '97 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Thanks: 1,251 Thanked 582 Times in 374 Posts	Cd you always find the coolest stuff!!! It amazes me how a little sharp angle can make this much of a difference. __________________ Pressure Gradient Force The Positive Side of the Number Line

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09-24-2009, 09:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cd Ultimate Fail Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 2,872 Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts	It looks as if the spoiler in front of the wheels has a hole in the center. I wonder what they are suggesting about the A pillar area. Eventhough the grille area looks larger in the new 'smilee' face version, it would appear that the area hasn't changed all that much - just moved around into a new shape.

09-24-2009, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
RobertSmalls Left Lane Ecodriver Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA Posts: 2,257 Prius C - '12 Toyota Prius C Thanks: 79 Thanked 286 Times in 199 Posts	This video is excellent. It shows you a handful of little tweaks Mazda found, and it helps you visualize each one. Mazda is aeromodding the Mazda3. In the shot of the A pillar, they deleted the rain channel, or more likely just made it smaller. Something I will test on the Insight. As for the hole in the front fender deflector, I have no idea why, but since it's there, I can only surmise that it was found to reduce Cd, somehow.

09-24-2009, 10:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
RobertSmalls Left Lane Ecodriver Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA Posts: 2,257 Prius C - '12 Toyota Prius C Thanks: 79 Thanked 286 Times in 199 Posts	Regarding your taillights: an abrupt end to a body (i.e. a Kammback) makes good aerodynamic sense. A suddenly truncated tail outperforms a rounded one. That's why small trunk lid spoilers and Bangle Butts are used, and it's why the Chevy Volt's rear is creased.

09-24-2009, 11:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cd Ultimate Fail Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 2,872 Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts	Indeed ! Here is a very good video of the Volvo C-30 in the wind tunnel. Note what the fellow says at 2:50 on the video. Adding a sharp edge saves 5-6 liters of fuel a year.