Chapter 2: Wind test, just like other cars

It’s that much essential just like any other cars. To be exact, it takes a three-ton fan, a steel tunnel measuring 11 meters in diameter and 163 meters in length, a heat exchanger the size of a wall, 24 hours of computer simulations, innumerable six-hour shifts, and as much steam and liquid nitrogen smoke as needed to wind test a car.

Contamination, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, climate comfort, energy efficiency, and internal environment all these factors are tested under the test. It has many best things that influence the aerodynamics of the car. Like active rear spoiler which is deployed automatically at 100km/h and retracted at speed below 70km/h. Another is the lower outer grill at the front of the car which can be open and close to cool down the batteries and other components.

These design features are tested under the watchful eye of Senior Analysis Engineer and Aerodynamics Ph.D. Lennert Sterken, and a team of wind tunnel personnel. “Of course, from an aerodynamics standpoint, we like the combination of a low roofline with an active rear spoiler,” says Sterken of the Polestar 1.