2016 Lexus RX
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I agree that, all else equal, lower speeds usually = less aerodynamic drag (among other things, I had a flight instructor's rating before I retired). But many, if not most, of today's vehicles are designed with wind-tunnel tests, especially in today's globally-designed platforms where high-speed German Autobahn capability could be needed. And, of course, numbers don't lie......0.33 obviously means 0.33. So I'm not questioning that part.
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Really? I can't imagine that the angles on the new RX offer any imprvemett. More than likely it adds more drag, Toyota historically improves on the drag and lower profile probably offsets the angles.
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They neither offer an improvement nor a detriment. The overall shape affects the aerodynamic drag, small variances such as the angular styling on the nose don't have an effect at speeds such as this.
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I think I am with you on this, I can't imagine the angles help reduce the drag. Toyota usually improves on drag and in this case the RX appears to ride sleaker but the angles are more pronounced.
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LOL, you can think whatever you want to.
Anyways the proof is right there, the 2015 and rthe 2016 have the same cD. One is smooth and egg shaped, the other has more angular styling. Look at the GS, 4GS has the same cD as the 3GS, despite a much more angular nose. These cosmetic things are superficial, what matters is the overall shape and profile of the car.
Anyways the proof is right there, the 2015 and rthe 2016 have the same cD. One is smooth and egg shaped, the other has more angular styling. Look at the GS, 4GS has the same cD as the 3GS, despite a much more angular nose. These cosmetic things are superficial, what matters is the overall shape and profile of the car.
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According to Lexus.com Pressroom using the official product spec sheet
2015. RX350
-.33 drag
-lower ground clearance
-more pronounced roof rack
2016 RX
- .34 drag
- higher off the ground (totally surprised me)
- less pronounced roof rack
- almost one inch higher ground clearance
I think we should let others on forum be the jury here?
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Re-read what I posted earlier. You are wrong and you are trying skirt the error of your ways.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Nov 14, 2015 at 09:48 AM.
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I've read everything you've said...both before you completely changed what you were saying and after. In case you want to re-read what you said yourself, here it is:
Your response:
Your response:
The first person to bring up the RX having better drag was you. Other people, legitimate posters have posted that the data they have seen has both at .33, you said Lexus Canada reports .34, and you also said that you thought the cD would be lower, yet now you say that clearly the angular front should increase drag. Did you not notice the front was angular when you posted originally that drag was better? You said you read that somewhere...where?
I'm all for facts, but we clearly have a discrepancy in the facts here.
As for "me being wrong" I don't agree. I stand by my opinion that the angular cosmetic styling of the 4RX isn't going to have an effect on its overall aerodynamics. If that was all it took, then different trim levels of the same car with different front fascias and body cladding would have different cD ratings, and they don't. Theres no way I can *prove* this to you as I don't own a wind tunnel...but plenty of very aerodynamic cars have very angular styling...look at new Lamborghinis. Look at stealth fighter planes.
Lexus did a lot of tweaks to get the RX quieter, better drag, changes to the engine mounts, changes to the struts etc etc. One of the more interesting things was the new tires that the RX debuts with, not all of them have it but a lot of RX models have the Michelin Premier LTX tires.
Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
Lexus in Canada states that the RX for 2016 is .34 while the 15 model is .33. So somewhere someone is not telling the whole story. I thought it would of been an improvement.
Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
All the info I can find states both the 2015 and 2016 have a 0.33cd
Originally Posted by mmarshall
It's hard to see how they managed to get lower drag up front this time with all those sharp angles, hollows, and creases in the design.
Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
It's what I read. I think Lexus reports those figures in their website.
Originally Posted by JDR76
Both the 3RX and 4RX have an aerodynamic drag coefficient of .33.
Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
I thought it would be lower, but the 2016 version does seem to look like it sits lower to ground and the height is not as high as the outgoing model. But I would have to look at the specs to make sure.
I'm all for facts, but we clearly have a discrepancy in the facts here.
As for "me being wrong" I don't agree. I stand by my opinion that the angular cosmetic styling of the 4RX isn't going to have an effect on its overall aerodynamics. If that was all it took, then different trim levels of the same car with different front fascias and body cladding would have different cD ratings, and they don't. Theres no way I can *prove* this to you as I don't own a wind tunnel...but plenty of very aerodynamic cars have very angular styling...look at new Lamborghinis. Look at stealth fighter planes.
Last edited by SW17LS; Nov 14, 2015 at 10:08 AM.
