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05.11.2023 09:21, Alexey Razin
In the era of electric vehicles, the struggle to improve aerodynamic performance has acquired a completely rational motivation, since reduced air resistance helps to increase the range, especially when driving at high speeds. Chery also did not lag behind other automakers, and demonstrated a prototype of a car with a record low aerodynamic drag coefficient.
Image Source: Chery
According to this Chinese manufacturer, the prototype, designed using mathematical modeling and an artificial intelligence system, was created after searching through more than 2,000 body shape options in a virtual environment, while full-scale tests in a wind tunnel proved that the car has a drag coefficient of no more than 0.168, which is a record for the automotive industry, albeit with some reservations. According to the prototype developers, they were guided not only by the choice of the optimal shape, which was suggested to them by artificial intelligence, but were also inspired by the outlines of tuna.
Image Source: Chery
As explained Electrek, historically, the title of the most aerodynamic production electric car still belongs to the GM EV1, released at the end of the last century, since even then it was possible to reduce this coefficient to 0.19. The Chery prototype is not a production electric car, and it is not a fact that designers will decide to leave the silhouette, which is not without compromises, in a production version, if one ever appears.
The Lightyear 0 electric car, which had a drag coefficient of 0.175, was formally mass-produced, although in only a few copies. The company went through bankruptcy proceedings, and although it retained its intentions to return to the market, it is not a fact that it will succeed. Actually, Aptera Motors also intends to achieve a reduction in the drag coefficient to 0.15 or even 0.13, so the race for leadership in this area is not yet over. By the way, Mercedes-Benz for its VISION EQXX concept achieved a drag coefficient of no more than 0.17, which is very close to Chery’s achievements. All that remains is to transfer part of the experience gained to mass-produced electric vehicles. German engineers compared their creation to a penguin, and not to permanent inhabitants of the deep sea.
2023-11-05 06:21:00
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