I was just wondering what the coefficient of drag of the 1st gen tsx was. Tried to search but lost patience, sorry if this is a repeat thread.

 

I recall it being something near the nsx. Don't count me on that since i could be off and its been awhile.

 

Drag coefficient is 0.27, which is very good for any car. It owes alot of this due to the attention paid to the undercarriage, as you can see if you take a peak underneath

 

TSX's coefficient of drag is 0.27. The NSX's coefficient of drag is 0.30.

 

I believe that figure is for the TSX without any lipkit installed. They did such a good job engineering the 1G TSX that I wouldn't be surprised if the lipkit actually worsens the number...

 

Yes, it's the number when it's in stock form. The lip kit should affect the number since its presence affects air flow. I'd expect it to increase drag slightly since it is a little lower than stock.

On flat ground, I can pop my 6MT into neutral and roll for a good couple of blocks (e.g., I just slice through the air). If there were no cars behind me, I could probably increase my MPG by alot...lol

 

What I don't understand is why the new insight with its aerodynamic shape only gets a 0.28 Cd. The new Prius gets a 0.25 Cd.

 

Probably since they didn't have to do more R&D so they took a former platform and improved it.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automob...g_coefficients

for comparison. .27 is really nice!

 

.25 is nearly the best of any production car listed on the wiki page referenced above. Considering those cars are very particular about the drag, I think that speaks a lot to the design of the TSX.

 

I agree. Does anyone know if the 2G TSX is any different?

 

wow the 1G tsx has the same drag coefficient as the GT-R. sweeeeet

 

I attended an SAE presentation by a Honda aerodynamics engineer from Maryville OH a few months ago. Honda (and Acura, I suppose) do their aero design with computer modeling and they wring every bit of efficiency out of the body design possible. He showed how they optimize the outside mirrors, the underbody, the wheel and tire configurations and on and on. One of his slides showed the bottom of the first gen TSX - I know, I've been under it enough. Their modeling software is sophisticated enough to add ground movement into the calculations too. This technique supplants wind tunnel work which is extremely costly and time consuming.

The point being that any aero modifications you make to the vehicle are almost guaranteed to make things worse. Sorry ...

 

how about the stock spoiler...?

 

Did you go to the SAE Congress in Detroit? I was there and have been there now for 3 straight years. I bet that was a great presentation.

 

No, this was a presentation at a meeting sponsored by Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. SAE and AIAA group members were invited. The name of the presenter escapes me but he has a PhD in aerodynamics engineering.

 

speaking of drag, any pics of tsx during wind tunnel testing?

 

No. The presentation was primarily about Honda's computer modeling processes. They can get valid results much quicker and with less cost than with traditional wind tunnels. My guess is their next software iteration will specify minor shape changes to give even lower drag rather than engineering cut and try procedures.

 

ha, I wonder how much it raises my car's drag coefficient

 

what a coincidence, it turns out my old car, the Mazda6 has the same drag coefficient of 0.27. I guess I have a thing for aerodynamic cars