Not so aerodynamic

Rcy · Feb 10, 2014

I always thought the Insight2 was very slippery and that it's lack of rear space was the consequence I had to live with.

But in this chart
Vehicle Coefficient of Drag List - EcoModder
the 2010 Civic Hybrid has a lower Cd than the 2010 Insight! (0.27 vs 0.28 )
Not to speak of Prius (0.25), Mercedes CLA (0.22)

I'm really puzzled: No better Cd than their own sedan model.....
What was the point then?
My guess is that the basic shape is allright but details were overlooked or not addressed because of cost.

I like my Insight, but now I know it's shape is just....a shape

jime · Feb 10, 2014

I'm on Ecomodder also. I always expressed some skepticism on Cd numbers. AFAIK there is really no "truth in advertizing" rules on advertized Cd. Different companies use different wind tunnels and somewhat different methods. The thing which always concerns me is Toyota's claim that the Prius Cd is the same as the first Gen Insight. I've done my share of tinkering and reading and I am just not convinced.

According to Hucho, details do matter. So, as you say, there may not be enough detail work in the Gen2 Insight - hard to say. The one thing that is noticable is the large transome area.

The Mercedes certainly looks slick, but .22 sounds to me like a stretch. JMHO

Uriel · Feb 10, 2014

The vehicles you mention all have low Cd. values.

The current Civic hatchback has a Cd. of 0.27 too.

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Cobb · Feb 10, 2014

So, nothing about the design tweeks in the 2nd release of the gen 2? The changes in the front grill, bumper and rear trailing splats?

I agree, you cant copy n paste cd values you find from any Tom, Dick or Harry. You need to take them all through the same wind tunnel.

The hch has an extra half an inch trailing edge added to the rear hatch to help with aero for mpg.

Not so aerodynamic

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