Chery presents a new master of aerodynamics

Chery Automotive, one of China’s ten largest automakers, wants to specialize in battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, which serve the mid-to-high end new energy vehicles (NEVs) market. At the end of December, the group presented a concept car that has a very low coefficient of 0.168 cW. A new record among Asian manufacturers, as Chery announces.

The car is based on a design based on artificial intelligence, which is closely based on nature. The design of the concept, which was shared on the social network Weibo a few weeks ago, is based on the hydrodynamic shape of the tuna, known for its speed and strength in water. The car’s developers relied on AI-powered simulation techniques that went through more than 2,000 optimization scenarios to achieve a record-breaking coefficient of drag (Cd). According to Chery, the concept achieved a drag coefficient of 0.168 in official testing in August.

Taking into account the special curve of the dorsal fin of the tuna, the Chery manufacturers designed, among other things, air control elements to reduce the coefficient of air resistance. Jochen Tüting, managing director of the R&D Center in Raunheim am Main, explains the concept as follows: “With this concept, we are showing what is currently possible with a range of battery-electric models. As a traditional car manufacturer, we are a technology-driven company with more than 5,500 manufacturers worldwide. By presenting this aerodynamic concept, we provide insight into our constant efforts to create innovative technologies for the benefit of our customers.”

Since this is a concept and not a production car, the name of the theoretical aerodynamic car should be the GM EV1, which achieved a coefficient of 0.19 in the late 1990s. Since then, many companies have tried to beat this figure, including Lightyear 0 with a drag coefficient of 0.175, but production stopped after only two cars when bankruptcy began.

The VW XL1, a plug-in hybrid produced in a limited series of 200 units, achieved a diesel consumption of just under 2 liters with an empty battery and a drag coefficient of 0.186 and a weight of more than 800 kg. The electric-only Benz Vision EQXX, which has traveled more than 1000 kilometers on a single battery charge, has a drag coefficient of 0.17.

Aptera Motors, another solar car company, is still working on mass production and promises to break the record for the world’s most aerodynamic car, but exact numbers have yet to be publicly confirmed. The company had previously hinted that it could achieve a drag coefficient between 0.13 and 0.15.

Source: Chery – press release from December 29, 2023