Efficient Vehicle Design

The first stage in new vehicle design begins with research on the needs and desires of drivers, government regulations on emissions, and new technologies for improving performance. Each of these facets must also align with the intangible aspect of how a car’s looks will appeal to car buyers. Obviously, new car design involves large teams of experts in all of these specialties who must coordinate their work in a way that results in a feasible
prototype car.

Car designs include features to reduce drag as they move. Many of the features such as window shape, roof shape, and rear spoiler help airflow over the car. Side spats and a mostly flat undercarriage reduce pockets where air can swirl and decrease the car’s aerodynamics. Vehicles also contain lightweight materials on their surfaces that allow smooth airflow over the car’s body.

Rather than depend solely on drawings—even sophisticated computer drawings—automakers build prototype models of all of their most promising car designs. Building a prototype car is a complex job that requires a skilled team. Prototype builders follow a design blueprint to create a full-sized fiberglass shell, windshield, and lights. Computeraided
design (CAD) has greatly increased prototype building by allowing for design changes on the computer before building the actual car mock-up. CAD programs also create images of the vehicle’s interior controls, seats, and options. Engineers use CAD programs to make upto- the-minute design changes, and then the prototype team adjusts the model to agree with those changes. The entire process is called virtual prototyping, and, in addition to car designers, trucks, aircraft, ships, pleasure boats, and mass transit vehicles use it. This technology has helped increase the accuracy of converting a concept into a real design
that will succeed on the road.