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Improved
aerodynamics to significantly increase
vehicle stability
and cornering performance at high speeds
In order to endow
the new NSX-R with outstanding high-speed performance, we
turned our attention to aerodynamics and their effect on
high-speed cornering power, braking, turn-in, and other
aspects affecting vehicle controllability. This led us to a
new technical approach called "aerodynamically-induced
stability". In addition to increasing high-speed cornering
power, we have also striven to improve vehicle control quality
- the ease with which the driver can control the car, and thus
exploit its full potential. This enabled the chassis to be
tuned for reduced understeer at low to medium speeds. The
resultant improved handling at both low and high speeds endows
the New NSX-R with outstanding speed on all types of
circuits.
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Fundamentals
behind downforce and aerodynamic stability
for improved
high-speed vehicle handling
|
In order to endow the new
NSX-R with outstanding high-speed performance, we turned our
attention to aerodynamics and their effect on high-speed
cornering power, braking, turn-in, and other aspects affecting
vehicle controllability. This led us to a new technical
approach called "aerodynamically-induced stability". In
addition to increasing high-speed cornering power, we have
also striven to improve vehicle control quality - the ease
with which the driver can control the car, and thus exploit
its full potential. This enabled the chassis to be tuned for
reduced understeer at low to medium speeds. The resultant
improved handling at both low and high speeds endows the New
NSX-R with outstanding speed on all types of
circuits.
|
|
The third advantage of
downforce is that it helps reduce body roll as well as body
pitch. This in turn helps reduce sudden variations in vertical
forces applied to the tires at the limit, increasing vehicle
stability in the wake of driver input. Vehicle behavior is
also more linear near the limit of adhesion, contributing to
increased driver control. In other words, creating downforce
to press the vehicle onto the road as speed increases not only
contributes to increased absolute cornering speed and thus
absolute dynamic performance, but also significantly improves
vehicle control quality as measured by response to driver
inputs and vehicle stability at the limit. These are the
fundamentals behind downforce and aerodynamic stability as a
means to improved high-speed vehicle handling.
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Relationship between
vertical force and cornering force
As the vertical force
applied to the tire increases, cornering force also increases.
In other words, increasing the vertical force applied to the
tire has the same effect as using larger tires.
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How downforce helps
control changes in attitude
Downforce helps reduce
body roll while cornering and body pitch during braking or
acceleration. This also helps reduce sudden variations in
vertical forces applied to the tires at the limit, for
increased vehicle stability. Downforce not only increases
dynamic performance, but also creates a more stable vehicle
behavior environment for steering, throttle, and braking
inputs. |
Extensive
circuit testing to determine the optimum
equilibrium
between downforce and front-to-rear balance
|
In order to endow the new
NSX-R with outstanding high-speed performance, we turned our
attention to aerodynamics and their effect on high-speed
cornering power, braking, turn-in, and other aspects affecting
vehicle controllability. This led us to a new technical
approach called "aerodynamically-induced stability". In
addition to increasing high-speed cornering power, we have
also striven to improve vehicle control quality - the ease
with which the driver can control the car, and thus exploit
its full potential. This enabled the chassis to be tuned for
reduced understeer at low to medium speeds. The resultant
improved handling at both low and high speeds endows the New
NSX-R with outstanding speed on all types of
circuits.
|
|
The third advantage of
downforce is that it helps reduce body roll as well as body
pitch. This in turn helps reduce sudden variations in vertical
forces applied to the tires at the limit, increasing vehicle
stability in the wake of driver input. Vehicle behavior is
also more linear near the limit of adhesion, contributing to
increased driver control. In other words, creating downforce
to press the vehicle onto the road as speed increases not only
contributes to increased absolute cornering speed and thus
absolute dynamic performance, but also significantly improves
vehicle control quality as measured by response to driver
inputs and vehicle stability at the limit. These are the
fundamentals behind downforce and aerodynamic stability as a
means to improved high-speed vehicle handling.
|
Downforce balance front to
rear (Straight-line driving at constant speed)
By creating a downforce
with the same front-to-rear balance as vehicle weight, changes
in steering characteristics from low to high speeds remain
well under control. At higher speeds this translates into a
more linear response. More precise control of the vehicle
helps the driver delve further into the car�s
potential.
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Testing at Honda's proving
grounds in Takasu,
Hokkaido | | |
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