New Civic Type R aerodynamic features

[California98Civic]

I encountered my first new Civic Type R in a mall today. I took this picture of the rear side aerodynamics the spoiler and the vortex generators and other features. Reminds me a little bit of the design of the Subaru WRX with its vortex generators and high spoiler.



Here is a flashy and somewhat useful commercial technical description. Aerodynamics 0:37 - 1:07, with the VGs description at 1:01-1:07.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eE6N7NTJ2NQ

What amazes me a little is that they go to such lenghts and cost to develop fancy aero tricks in the tail end when a cleaner "template" shape would be better to start with. Doesn't the heavy modification of the notch/hatch body type here just induce more drag than they might otherwise create using the template and maybe a modest spoiler for lift reduction? Marketing, I guess.

Also... Though the design cues are too busy and noisy for me (it's a steel anxiety attack), I do understand the excitement about this car. It was cool looking in the lot.

[Stubby79]

a 300hp FWD? Just what the kiddies want!

[freebeard]

The biggest problem I see is right there in the thumbnail, in Cyan. Vortexes don't work that way.

At 12:24 it turns into an ode to the Nürburgring.

The overall shape is a container for the content, not a fairing. Else it would look like [the top half of] a DC-3. Some details like the sculpting of the rear wing end-plates suggest aerodynamics is more important than fabrication. A flat plate likely would have more drag. The air curtains and vortex generators prolly represent some gain.

OTOH to my eye, mixing slots and meshes on the openings is like mixing stripes and plaid ....or belt and suspenders.

[MPGomatic]

I've only spent a very short time behind the wheel of the Type-R, but man-oh-man is it a fun little beast. I could never own one, though. The aero bits are too flashy. Rumor has it that there may be be a less expensive version in the works (without all the plumage). Can't help but wonder if they'll produce a slick and more luxurious Acura version.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

a 300hp FWD? Just what the kiddies want!

Supposedly it puts it down on the road very well. Honda has also performed some magic with the front suspension geometry to completely eliminate torque steer.

[California98Civic]

The Hasport tech inspection was more competently informative about the engine, suspension, and many of the aero features than the first video I posted. The Hasport techs remove suspension parts and the entire engine from their brand new Type R.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8YiRDodASE

[freebeard]

Interesting that the hood scoop doesn't feed the engine compartment, it blows air out the vents behind the front wheels.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Interesting that the hood scoop doesn't feed the engine compartment, it blows air out the vents behind the front wheels.

Right? I thought that was interesting too. Didn't know whether to endorse his theory that the air racing through the aluminium ducting would drag engine compartment air out through cracks. I also wondered if the aluminium ducts would be cooled by the airflow allowing heat transfer from engine compartment to the ducted airflow. Very odd scoop.

[freebeard]

I hadn't thought about radiant heat.

The airflow would be down to the shape of the duct outlet and it's position in the fender opening. It's hard to tell with the hood up.

Air could be sucked into the scoop by a low pressure area behind the wheel arch.

[California98Civic]

Car and driver describes the fender vents for this hood scoop this way: "Accentuating the Type R’s wide front fenders are a pair of vents fore of the front doors. Although the Type R’s fender vents add to the model’s angry looks and actually allow air to flow in and out of their grilles, Honda acknowledges that they serve no functional purpose."

Hahaha. Useless bling. I like MPGomatic's point above: maybe the Acura version will have less kiddie-noise and better looks.

https://www.caranddriver.com/flipboo...s-explained#13