Volkswagen is one of the leading automakers in the world, and it has a bold vision to become the number one electric car maker by 2025. To realize this vision, Volkswagen is developing a range of innovative and attractive electric vehicles under the ID brand, which stands for intelligent design, identity, and visionary technologies.
One of the most anticipated models in the ID lineup is the Volkswagen ID.7, a large and luxurious SUV that can accommodate up to seven passengers and offer a long driving range and high efficiency.
The ID.7 electric car will impress with its spacious and sophisticated interior and its sleek and streamlined exterior. The ID.7 will have a remarkable drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.23, which means that it will face very little air resistance when moving forward. This will result in lower energy consumption, longer battery range, faster charging time, and less wind noise.
But how did Volkswagen achieve such a low Cd for the ID.7? And why is aerodynamics so important for electric vehicles? In this article, we will explore these questions and explain how the ID.7 sets a new standard for aerodynamics and range in the electric SUV segment.
The Importance of Aerodynamics for Electric Vehicles
Aerodynamics is the science of how air flows around objects, and it affects many aspects of a car's performance, such as fuel economy, acceleration, top speed, stability, handling, and noise levels. For electric vehicles, aerodynamics is especially important because it directly impacts the battery range and charging time.
The more air resistance a car faces, the more energy it consumes to move forward. This means that a less aerodynamic car will have a shorter range on a single charge or will need a larger and heavier battery pack to achieve the same range. A less aerodynamic car will also take longer to charge, as it will need more electricity to replenish the battery.
According to Volkswagen, improving the drag coefficient by 0.01 can increase the range of an electric car by up to 3 miles (5 km). The drag coefficient is a measure of how streamlined a car is, with lower numbers indicating less drag. For comparison, the average Cd of a passenger car is around 0.3, while some of the most aerodynamic cars on the market have Cd values below 0.25.
Another factor that affects aerodynamics is lift, which is the force that pushes a car up or down when it moves through the air. The liftThe lift can be positive or negative, depending on whether it creates an upward or downward force on the car. Positive lift reduces the contact between the tires and the road, which can compromise traction and stability. Negative lift increases the contact between the tires and the road, which can improve traction and stability, but also increase drag and reduce efficiency.
The ideal lift coefficient (Cl) for a car is zero, which means that it generates no lift or downforce. This ensures that the car maintains a balanced and neutral behavior at high speeds without sacrificing efficiency or comfort.