Tesla 3 aero update kit
 

Saw this first thing this morning. Thought there might be some interest here:


https://electrek.co/2019/03/13/tesla...d-performance/

The white paper:

https://unpluggedperformance.com/aer...w8qPahiH33FtOU

50 counts drag coefficient reduction? Pardon me while I channel the Car Talk guys for a moment: "B-O-O-O-GUS!"

Aside from obvious issues such as, "...whereas the current study performed had the wheels stationary to remove the three Model 3 wheel options as a variable" (emphasis added), their characterization of CFD as somehow more accurate than other methods of testing such as wind tunnels is completely without merit. There's a reason OEMs still verify all their designs in the tunnel, and it ain't because CFD is the be-all, end-all. Depending what CFD method their guy used, it's good for getting a general idea of what's going on, but they're basing their entire claim on it. And they have financial incentive to present it as the gospel truth.

That said, it's nice to see an aftermarket supplier at least making an attempt at efficiency improvements.

Isn't 50 counts 0.05 Cd difference?

I saw the front lip spoiler is $700, but I didn't see a price for the whole kitten kaboodle. Here's a five piece fiberglass kit for $4000:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/17...g?v=1551399926
https://tsportline.com/products/tesl...-sport-package

The Model 3 already has front wheel air curtains.

This kit is available in basalt fiber:
Tesla Model S Gets the Aftermarket Touch From Voltes Design
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/t...gn-109460.html
I'm not impressed with the CFD software.
https://electrek.co/2016/04/28/tesla...odynamic-drag/

I've been looking at the features available in Blender 2.8 and I expect that the CFD done in that software will be very advanced over what they've shown. I don't know the details yet, But I've seen magnetic field simulations and I know there is a physics engine and OpenVDB is in there somewhere, (but I haven't seen it yet). I don't know that these were done in Blender, but they use a smoke and fire rendering engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0A-ngb6cCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnDY...hRvTQ&index=19

CFD results
 

Independent verification in a full-scale wind tunnel would be prudent.It would cost them less than $500 at the A2 tunnel for the full kit.
If they'd provided the data cloud to Tesla,and Tesla achieved the same results it would lesson suspicion.
Had they developed their hardware in a tunnel,they'd be out a minimum of $429,000,according to their 143-hours/iterations reported.That doesn't include envelope digitizing,autocad/cam,prototyping,transportation,perhaps one master clay modeller,additional manpower,equipment,travel expenses,lodgings,per diem,etc..

Yep, 0.181 claimed, down from Tesla's 0.23. For reference, that's a lower Cd than the VW XL1.

Would be awesome to have some software to play with on an Insight... I'm sure there is plenty of small things that could add up for the little beast that we haven't discovered yet.

(Software... and the brains to use it!)

Blender 2.80 is still in beta. The official release date is in July. I think I'm experiencing problems (ArchiMesh and TinyCAD add-ons don't function) but the second problem puts that in doubt. :)

I haven't found an Honda Insight (or Model 3) model, closest is the Honda CRX as a free-to-download .lwo file
http://www.dmi-3d.net/models/honda_crx3.gif
DMI Car 3D Models - Cars 7

I bet they don't have the balls to kit up a car and give it to automotive journalist to test on youtube. *eyes*

Something smells fishy. ;)