VW Opens Advanced Wind Tunnel Center in Germany

Volkswagen AG’s namesake brand has opened a wind tunnel efficiency center in Wolfsburg, Germany, that the company says allows for more extreme testing and “significantly more” simulated real-world conditions than its predecessor.

The 94,700-sq-ft center can replicate real-world drag with airflow around the vehicle at speeds as high as 155 mph. The wind tunnel also can simulate snow, rain and sunlight at temperatures ranging between -22°F and +140°F.

During testing, each wheel of a vehicle is positioned on its own flat belt to enable turning motions similar to those during real-world driving. Using an integrated camera system and balance, vehicles can be properly aligned for testing in less than five minutes compared with about 30 minutes for previous wind tunnels, VW says.

The system’s acoustic insulation makes it one of the quietest wind tunnels in the industry, according to VW. At wind speeds of nearly 100 mph, the tunnel reaches a sound pressure level of just 65 decibels, which the carmaker says is comparable to normal speech and television volumes.

Volkswagen says the new center will significantly reduce the cost of tests that previously had to be done in remote areas. The centralized location also allows for greater cooperation with other VW engineering teams—safety, design, acoustics and comfort—in Wolfsburg.