Solar electric vehicle producer Aptera has undertaken validation work for the aerodynamic shape – a teardrop – of its new vehicle in Pininfarina’s wind tunnel. Throughout the validation phase, Aptera will refine and validate the aerodynamic properties of its vehicle platform to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
At the Pininfarina wind tunnel, Aptera completed correlation testing that corroborated its computational fluid dynamics work and offered insights on the vehicle’s shape, which Aptera says will have the lowest coefficient of drag of any production passenger vehicle. By integrating Pininfarina’s aerodynamic insights, Aptera reported that it is on track to meet its targets.
The next step in Aptera’s validation phase is to build Delta validation units, which will be continually tested in CFD, wind tunnel and real-world environments.
Alessandro Aquili, head of wind tunnel at Pininfarina, said, “Aptera’s exterior design draws inspiration from the research of Prof. Morelli, the same engineer behind the Pininfarina wind tunnel. By building on Prof. Morelli’s ideas, Aptera carries on this philosophy, continuing to push bounds of aerodynamic efficiency.”
Steve Fambro, CEO and co-founder of Aptera, remarked, “Working with Pininfarina to validate Aptera’s shape marks an exciting chapter in our journey toward creating a passenger vehicle with the lowest drag coefficient ever.”
Aptera’s aerodynamic shape is key to its energy efficiency. According to the company, it will enable its solar EVs to achieve a range of up to 1,000 miles per charge and the ability to drive up to 40 miles per day directly from the sun’s rays.
Pininfarina will continue to assist Aptera on the aero development of its solar EVs.
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