Would you eco-mod a Mazda MX-3 ?

[Cd]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

A small car with a badly-tuned (for FE) four cylinder getting 20-something mpg is not hard to imagine. But looking at the MX-3 in real life and in pictures, it looks like it should have a drag coefficient much lower than 0.32.

I'd like to tuft-test one. If flow remains attached across the back of the car, I'd buy one and promptly put the engine on eBay.

How does it compare to the streamlining template?

I measured the angle of the back glass at 14.5 degrees on a factory photo without distortion ( the one in the owners manual )
I'm not sure how to use the template correctly. When I line the template up to the highest point on the roof, the angle seems almost horizontal. If that angle is the ideal, then the 1971 Mustang MACH1 fastback would be close to perfect, because from what i remember of that car, the back glass was almost horizontal.

[jakobnev]

I have one (but i have the GS version that kills baby seals). The 22/29 figure you quoted is for the automatic, the stick gets 25/34 according to EPA. (I managed to beat 34 in the summer with my GS tho)

I think it's bottom has a lot to do with it's "poor" Cd, while the top looks crafted in heaven by angels, the underside was clearly designed by Freddy Kruger. Despite that, CdA is still not that bad, somewhere between an early and a late model Prius)

Low top gear and hefty weight hurt tho.

[Arragonis]

I always find it amazing how many cars look so similar but come from different makers and different places. Some of these look like they came from the same designer's sketch pad...

[Cd]

Jakobnev - I would love to see some pictures of the underside of your car. I have looked online for a view of the underside of the MX-3, but have never seen a good view.
Stock, your car has a .32 Cd which is not bad ... it's just that it's not that good either ;-)

Arragonis - I see a little of what you mean, but take a look at these three cars :
From Pontiac, the G-6

From Nissan, the Altima

And from Infinity ( fancy Nissan ), the G-37


Even the name of the Pontiac " G-6 " is similar to the Infinity " G-37"

[Cd]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

I'd like to tuft-test one. If flow remains attached across the back of the car, I'd buy one and promptly put the engine on eBay.

I overlaid a good side image with minimal distortion of the car over the Insight.
It looks to be nearly a perfect match, but the Insight is shorter.
( I can't upload it for some reason )

Here are the two images I used :

[jakobnev]

Originally Posted by Cd

Jakobnev - I would love to see some pictures of the underside of your car. I have looked online for a view of the underside of the MX-3, but have never seen a good view.
Stock, your car has a .32 Cd which is not bad ... it's just that it's not that good either ;-)

I took some pics today, i'll get them up when i get back from work.

.32 is for the RS version btw, the GS has .31 thanks to the air dam and little spoiler.

[Cd]

Good point about the Cd on the GS model. I forgot about that.
My guess is that the lip spoiler is most likely what is helping drop the Cd down.
Since the car already has attached flow down the entire length of the hatch, the Cd might even be actually be better without the rear spoiler. ( note the absence of one on the Insight.)
Looking forward to the pictures.

[Cd]

I just noticed that the image of the black MX-3 is at an angle that I didn't see when I overlayed the image of the Insight onto it.
The camera is tilted slightly and the angle is off.
The actual angles look like 11.5 degrees of slope for the Insight and 13.5 degrees for the MX-3. ( actual angle of the glass itself, and not including the spoiler. )
The rear spoiler might help after all.

[Arragonis]

Hi,

Did you guys get this one ?



I think it was the same floorpan as the MX-3 ?

[Cd]

I have never seen that car here in the US.
It does have some resemblance around the front doesn't it ?