These days, car buyers deem fuel economy to be one of the most significant features of a vehicle. Due to the high demand for better fuel economy, carmakers are placing greater emphasis on aerodynamics. A car that is aerodynamically efficient has lower wind resistance at high speeds and thereby, a reduced drag.
The drag coefficient of an automobile is a measurement of the way the automobile passes through the surrounding air. When automobile companies design a new vehicle they take into consideration the automobile drag coefficient in addition to the other performance characteristics.
While this was paramount in racing cars only earlier, these days several passenger cars are also being produced with a decently low drag coefficient. Take a look at some of the most aerodynamic production vehicles available based on their drag coefficient!
Lucid Air – 0.21 Cd
Lucid Motors was founded with the idea of developing aerodynamically sound electric luxury cars and Lucid Air, with its Cd value of 0.21, is CEO Peter Rawling´s response to the Tesla S. The incredibly low drag co-efficient of the Air is due to the design conceived by Charles Monnet, a Formula One designer spirited away from the Red Bull team. Rawlings, who also wanted to compete against established sports luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes and Audi, has outfitted the car with luxurious interiors and large storage space.
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Porsche Taycan Turbo – 0.22 Cd
The all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo´s futuristic look has also been designed with a view to bettering its aerodynamic effiency. The reduction of drag not only improves performance but also increases the battery range of this EV. Although not the fastest Taycan in the line-up, it can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds and its official battery range of 280 miles is pretty decent too.
Audi A8 – 0.26 Cd
Audi 8 is the carmakers latest flagship model that takes pride in its newest aerodynamic technology. Despite its bold front grille, the A1 from Audi still manages to be a great entrant in the aerodynamic department. Audi introduced minor tweaks to the exteriors to ensure this.
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Porsche Taycan Turbo – 0.22 Cd
The all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo´s futuristic look has also been designed with a view to bettering its aerodynamic effiency. The reduction of drag not only improves performance but also increases the battery range of this EV. Although not the fastest Taycan in the line-up, it can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds and its official battery range of 280 miles is pretty decent too.
Audi A8 – 0.26 Cd
Audi 8 is the carmakers latest flagship model that takes pride in its newest aerodynamic technology. Despite its bold front grille, the A1 from Audi still manages to be a great entrant in the aerodynamic department. Audi introduced minor tweaks to the exteriors to ensure this.
Photo Credit: www.wsupercars.com
BMW 5 Series EfficientDynamics – 0.22 Cd
Luxury cars are generally considered gas guzzlers and therefore, for the longest time, simply affording to purchase such cars wasn´t enough. One also needed the moolah to regularly fuel them up. But now, the demand for a low carbon output and better fuel economy has hit this segment too. And that´s what pushed BMW to come up with the 5 Series Efficient Dyanmics, a car that seems to have spent a fair amount of its formative time in the wind tunnel. Aerodynamically enhanced alloy wheel design and active shutters for the BMW´s trademark kidney grille have greatly reduced this car´s drag-co-efficient. This flagship car can hit an impressively low drag of 0.22 Cd value with added benefit of low CO2 emissions.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric -0.24 Cd
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Hyundai built the Ioniq Electric in a flowing fastback design to efficiently channel the air over and around its body. The sleek closed floating grille at the front allows for improved aerodynamic efficieny as do the flat-contoured stylish alloy wheels. The wheels also don´t protrude from the body at the side, thus reducing wind resistance further. This car, featuring a 38.3kWh battery is lightning quick off the line, reaching from 0-100 in 10.2 seconds.
Skoda Octavia – 0.24 Cd
The fourth-generation Skoda Octavia features a liftback shape that helps it secure a big win in terms of aerodynamics. The Skoda Octavia manages to pump out a decent drag coefficient of Cd 0.25. Skoda has made use of active grille vents to maximize aerodynamics in this model. You can also spot aerodynamic alloy wheels that are common in similar vehicles.
These slippery new cars redefine aerodynamics for passenger cars. Which car impressed you the most?
Keyword: The Most Aerodynamic Passenger Cars In The World