An innovative electric car, the solar tricycle Aptera, is the center of attention as it seeks to set a new world record for aerodynamics. The American startup is determined to achieve the lowest air penetration coefficient ever recorded for a production car, and to achieve this ambitious goal, it decided to conduct extensive testing in Pininfarina's renowned wind tunnel, located in the province of Turin.
The teardrop-shaped cockpit and front wheel cover are just some of the features Aptera exploited during the design phase to ensure good aerodynamics. Initially, the startup predicted it would achieve a Cx of 0.12 or 0.13, but various prototypes and moving closer to the final model resulted in a slightly worse result, estimated at a Cx of 0.15.
Official confirmation of the value is still pending, but Aptera aims to easily outperform the competition, represented by the Lightyear 0, which recorded a Cx of 0.175. The challenge of setting new standards in sustainable motoring drives Aptera to seek every possibility of aerodynamic improvement for its 2024 launch edition.
Despite the increasing use of digital technologies in the car design and development process, wind tunnel testing remains a key step in assessing a vehicle's aerodynamic effectiveness. Therefore, the decision to travel to Pininfarina's facilities in Turin demonstrates Aptera's commitment to ensuring state-of-the-art performance for the solar tricycle.
With the ambitious goal of setting an aerodynamic record, Aptera is poised to write a new page in the history of sustainable motoring. The world anxiously awaits the official announcement of the results, while the automotive industry watches the progress of this innovative electric car with interest.
