Cupra: This is how things are developed in the wind tunnel 馃帴
TEMPLE OF THE WINDS In everyday life, sophisticated aerodynamics primarily serves to reduce fuel consumption; in racing, it serves to increase speed. Cupra Racing explains the approach using the example of the new TCR touring car in the wind tunnel. Using the Cupra Leon Competici贸n as an example, Xavi Serra, Head of Technical Development in the racing department, explains the influence that wind tunnel tests have on development. The test track is located [...]
Using the Cupra Leon Competici贸n as an example, Xavi Serra, Head of Technical Development in the racing department, explains the influence wind tunnel tests have on development.
The test track is located in a closed wind tunnel in which huge blowers generate an enormous air flow. Under controlled conditions, the vehicles are exposed to wind speeds of up to 300 km/h in this way, while highly sensitive sensors record data from the respective vehicle surfaces.
Every millimeter counts
The data on the vehicle's aerodynamic drag is displayed to the engineers on computer screens. The wind tunnel provides hundreds of measurement data that must be interpreted and compared down to the smallest variable. Every millimeter of every part of the vehicle counts.
Optimizing aerodynamics is of enormous importance for new vehicle models and is particularly essential for racing cars. After all, the primary aim here is not to reduce fuel consumption, but to make the vehicle faster.
Wind as the biggest opponent
Xavi Serra, Head of Technical Development at Cupra Racing, and his team want the new Cupra Leon Competici贸n to have less drag and better grip in the corners. The team therefore faced its biggest opponent - the wind.
Xavi Serra: "In the wind tunnel, we use a 1:1 scale model to determine the actual aerodynamic loads for the individual vehicle parts. We simulate the real contact pressure and thus the contact with the road. This allows us to determine how the vehicle will behave on the race track."
Ready for the race track
After hundreds of measurements, the engineers compare their results with those of previous generations of vehicles. So far, the engineers are satisfied with them.
Xavi Serra: "We were able to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic downforce. The new Cupra Leon Competici贸n is now more efficient than the previous model; as a result, it can achieve better lap times on the race track."
The data obtained will also be used in the development of future Cupra models. As soon as motorsport can be pursued again, the new Cupra Leon Competici贸n will be used in various TCR racing series.
