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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
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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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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
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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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