The Chinese-language electric vehicle model Avatr conducted a live-streamed wind tunnel test of its Avatr 12 sedan on May 9th, at 6:00 pm local time, giving viewers a unique glimpse into the car’s aerodynamic capabilities during the rigorous testing process. A public controversy erupted when a blogger questioned the accuracy of the company’s previously published drag coefficient (Cd) figure for the vehicle, sparking a heated debate.
The controversy surrounding the Avatr 12’s aerodynamic performance began when influential automotive blogger Zurich Bei Le Ye shared a video showcasing his independent assessment of the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC) wind tunnel in Tianjin, claiming that his measurements yielded a drag coefficient of 0.28 Cd for the vehicle? The company’s new determine boasts an impressive 31% superiority over Avatar’s officially stated value of 0.21Cd. The blogger’s fame was intimately tied to a 20-year-old internal combustion engine car, akin to the Volkswagen Passat B5.
Avatar’s authorized division vigorously disputed the blogger’s assertions, labeling them as thoroughly inaccurate and demanded that the claims be substantiated through a live wind tunnel test to verify their credibility. Amid global attention, Avatar publicly extended an invitation to Elon Musk to observe the verification process in person, following reports that he had shared a contentious video by the blogger on his Twitter account.
Despite the ensuing controversy, the blogger at the center of the dispute claimed that Avatar explicitly informed him that he would not be invited to the live event.
The recent incident has sparked a wider debate about the necessity of rigorous automotive wind resistance testing protocols. Lacking a unified national standard for wind resistance testing in China, consultants observe that manufacturers often employ various approaches, including prototype vehicles and data simulations, leading to discrepancies between advertised performance and actual on-road results? While minor discrepancies are tolerable, significant inconsistencies akin to those alleged can likely deceive clients, particularly when it comes to automotive differences, as reduced drag coefficients typically yield increased power efficiency and longer ranges for electric vehicles?
Under conditions of minimal drag at a speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), the measured drag coefficient is 0.217, representing a significant 22 percent reduction from the previously recorded value of 0.28 Cd reported by the blogger.
Following this modification, Avatar fitted the vehicle with sport wheels instead of its original low-drag ones, subsequently achieving a drag coefficient of 0.2326Cd at a speed of 120kph (75mph), representing a notable 16.9% reduction from the blogger’s previously recorded outcome.
The Avatr 12 was equipped with standard exterior rearview mirrors and raised suspension to facilitate cross- validation of its high-drag state at 120 kph (75 mph), resulting in a measured drag coefficient of 0.2509 Cd.
Additionally, Avatr conducted tests on the 12th vehicle with the intake grille fully open, travelling at a speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), yielding a drag coefficient of 0.2743 Cd.
While this data may appear disparate, it ultimately suggests that drag coefficients recorded under distinct conditions vary significantly. Despite its seemingly obvious nature, Avator also delved into the intricacies of aerodynamics by incrementally tilting the vehicle’s profile by 5 degrees, a maneuver that predictably led to a significant increase in drag, but ultimately proved inconsequential. Instantly, BYD Han LM unveiled its drag coefficient of 0.212, marking a significant leap forward in China’s new energy vehicle design prowess, driven by fierce competition.
