Roechling has developed the generic AeroSUV in collaboration with FKFS. It enables flow simulations and wind tunnel tests to be performed on medium-sized SUVs in the pre-development stage.
Roechling AeroSUV
Roechling Automotive
The generic AeroSUV was developed in collaboration with the Research Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart (FKFS). The 1:4 scale model combines the legal definitions and design details of medium-sized SUVs and allows for far-reaching flow simulations and wind tunnel tests in order to optimise flow in vehicle pre-development. "With the ability to integrate different rear end variants, the AeroSUV can take into account the rising number of derivatives in this profitable growth segment," says Dr. Juliane Nies, Aerodynamics Expert at Roechling Automotive.
The SUV-specific geometrical parameters include a higher ground clearance as well as considerably larger wheels and base bodies. First and foremost, the underbody design, the ground clearance and the wheels are among the most challenging areas. In order to achieve realistic aerodynamic coefficients, the AeroSUV will be able to map a high level of detail of the vehicle to be produced. Current SUV models were examined to produce an initial design. Engineers then optimised the initial model geometry using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).