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Mercedes-Benz has long pioneered aerodynamic innovation, transforming vehicle design to minimize air resistance and maximize efficiency. This approach not only enhances fuel economy and electric range but also improves safety and comfort. From historic milestones to cutting-edge electric models like the new CLA with EQ Technology, aerodynamics remains a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz engineering. By optimizing airflow, the brand delivers real-world benefits, such as extended driving range and quieter cabins, aligning with modern demands for sustainable mobility.
Key Highlights
- Drag Coefficient Impact: Reducing the Cd by 0.01 boosts long-distance range by about 2.5%, adding up to 375 km (233 mi) annually for 15,000 km drivers.
- Historic Leaders: Models like the 1984 W124 (Cd 0.29), 2014 CLA Coupe (Cd 0.22), and EQS (Cd 0.20) set production benchmarks.
- New CLA Efficiency: Achieves a class-leading Cd of 0.21 through optimized wheels, underbody panels, and sealed joints.
- Aeroacoustics Focus: Uses 350-microphone arrays and binaural heads to minimize wind noise for superior interior comfort.
- Visionary Concepts: VISION EQXX boasts a Cd of 0.17, outperforming an American football in aerodynamics.
Aerodynamics: A Legacy of Innovation
Mercedes-Benz’s aerodynamic journey spans decades, beginning with early pioneers like Wunibald Kamm and his Kammback design in the 1930s. The brand’s first full-scale wind tunnel, the “Large Wind Tunnel” in Untertürkheim, conducted its inaugural measurement in 1943 and remains vital for contamination and wiper tests today. Post-oil crisis in 1979, focus intensified, yielding icons like the S-Class W126 (Cd 0.36) and E-Class W124 (Cd 0.29), the first production car under 0.30.
Record-breakers further showcase this heritage. The 1938 W125 “Streamliner” hit a Cd of 0.16, enabling speeds over 268 mph (432 km/h). Later, the C111-III diesel from 1978 achieved nine world records with a Cd of 0.18. Concept vehicles push boundaries: the 2015 IAA Concept shifts to aerodynamics mode above 50 mph, dropping to Cd 0.19, while the VISION EQXX’s 0.17 Cd integrates passive and active elements for unmatched efficiency. The CONCEPT AMG GT XX explores “Aerodynamics by wire” using plasma actuators, slashing resistance without traditional spoilers.
Optimizing the New CLA with EQ Technology
The all-new electric CLA exemplifies detailed aerodynamic refinement, securing a Cd from 0.21—among the segment’s best. Engineers minimized variation across variants via aerodynamically optimized wheels, including bicolored full covers that outperform standard wheels by up to 15 Cd points. Wheel spoilers at front and rear axles reduce tire-induced drag, while sealed joints around the radiator grille and headlights streamline airflow.
The underbody evolves from EQS and EQE designs, featuring nearly complete closure with covered suspension arms. Fixed rear wheel covers eliminate moving joints, enhancing stability. These tweaks, validated through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel tests, equate to substantial range gains—one Cd point saves energy like shedding 10 kg (22 lbs) in WLTP cycles, adding roughly 1 km per charge.
Broader Aerodynamic Disciplines
Beyond drag reduction, Mercedes-Benz excels in aeroacoustics, targeting low wind noise via CFD pre-designs and 1:1 models in the Sindelfingen aeroacoustic tunnel. Equipped with 350 microphones, it visualizes sound sources on A-pillars and mirrors. Psychoacoustic metrics like loudness (sone) and sharpness (acum) ensure human-centric quietness, measured with binaural artificial heads simulating ear positions.
Vehicle cleanliness bolsters safety by maintaining clear visibility. In Untertürkheim’s tunnel, fluorescent liquids reveal water spray from rain or wheels; optimizations to A-pillars, mirrors, and seals prevent rivulets in core viewing areas. For open-top models like the CLE Cabriolet, draft-free comfort integrates AIRSCARF® neck heating and AIRCAP® deflectors, fine-tuned to minimize turbulence and noise through mesh geometry and airflow studies.
Flow optimization dominates efficiency, with air resistance quadrupling at doubled speeds. Simulations via DOE studies—up to 250 runs per parameter set—guide early designs, informing dimensional concepts and styling. The EQS’s record required thousands of virtual runs on 700 CPU cores.
Advanced Testing Facilities
Mercedes-Benz’s Sindelfingen aeroacoustic wind tunnel, operational since 2013, sets global standards with whisper-quiet airflow at 155 mph (250 km/h) and a five-belt system simulating roads up to 165 mph (265 km/h). Its 90-ton treadmill-balance measures forces to the gram, while a seven-axis traversing system positions probes in a 62 x 46 x 16 ft volume. The Göttingen design recirculates air efficiently, powered by a 29.5-ft blower consuming five megawatts at peak.
Complementing this, two climate wind tunnels replicate extremes from -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C), testing prototypes on dynamometers. Untertürkheim’s “Large Wind Tunnel” handles non-auto tasks too, from bobsleds to Olympic stadium roofs. Measuring tools like the “Tanja” dummy assess interior drafts with over a dozen sensors, and 64-microphone arrays enable acoustic holography for pinpointing low-frequency issues.
This comprehensive strategy underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to Real Life Efficiency, blending heritage with technology for vehicles that excel in range, quietude, and safety. As electric mobility advances, these aerodynamic prowess continues to define luxury driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, drives distribution and marketing of luxury vehicles, including the efficient CLA with EQ Technology. Explore more at www.mbusa.com and group.mercedes-benz.com/northamerica/.
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