GM’s new reduced scale wind tunnel accelerates design

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General Motors is now able to accelerate and verify fuel-saving designs earlier in the vehicle development process thanks to a new US$30m reduced scale wind tunnel test facility at its Technical Center in Michigan, USA.

The 35,000ft² facility aerodynamically tests clay models up to 40% of the scale of a full sized vehicle, and is equipped with a conveyor-style rolling road system that simulates real-world highway driving conditions up to 155mph.

Testing reduced-sized vehicles on a simulated road enables engineers to reduce wind drag in a full-size vehicle design.

It is located next to GM’s full-scale wind tunnel that has been in operation since 1980 and which will be upgraded next year with its own full-scale rolling road system and other improvements.

November 18, 2015

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John joined UKi Media & Events in 2012 and has worked across a range of B2B titles within the company's automotive, marine and entertainment divisions. Currently editor of Automotive Testing Technology International, Crash Test Technology International and Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International, John co-ordinates the day-the-day operations of each magazine, from commissioning and writing to editing and signing-off, as well managing web content. Aside from the magazines, John also serves as co-chairman of the annual Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards and can be found sniffing out stories throughout the halls of several of UKI's industry-leading expo events.




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