Bentley Motors is set to install a Compact full-spectrum driving simulator at its Dream Factory in Crewe, UK, to aid in the development of its forthcoming range of battery-electric vehicles.
The driving simulator – developed in Italy by simulator specialist VI-grade – is designed to provide a more sustainable alternative to physical testing for the development of vehicle comfort. Bentley says it should significantly reduce the number of real-world road miles its engineers cover during test phases.
Charlie Smith, virtual vehicle engineer at Bentley Motors, said, “This state-of-the-art system represents a significant advancement in our virtual development capabilities and will allow us to refine core Bentley attributes in a dynamic driver-in-the-loop virtual environment for the first time.
“This simulator is a strategic step toward accelerating our product development cycle, minimizing reliance on physical prototypes and enhancing simulation capabilities.”
The simulator can accurately assess ride comfort, cabin acoustics and vibration; it can also support seat development. It will be used to evaluate ride comfort over various emulated road surfaces, such as potholes and bumps, providing what Bentley says will be a valuable and time-saving representation of vehicle response.
The company predicts that the technology will save approximately 85 tons of CO2 and up to 350 days of traditional road testing per vehicle prototype.
Dr Matthias Rabe, member of the board for engineering at Bentley Motors, added, “Beyond its technical capabilities, the dynamic driving simulator brings substantial sustainability benefits, reducing the need for physical prototypes and extensive physical tests, the latter often involving cars and colleagues shipped to remote locations around the world.”
