The New Volvo Multipurpose Automotive Wind Tunnel

A new multipurpose wind tunnel with slotted walls for automotive testing has been opened at Volvo. It is called multipurpose due to the versatility of the facility. The aim of the tunnel was to combine versatility with high accuracy. The development process, construction, specification and final results are described.

Some of the capabilities are, aerodynamic force and moments measurements on models with up to four axles and long wheelbase, a built-in fully computer-controlled traversing gear, and road load simulation on a dynamometer with thermodynamic possibilities.

The tunnel concept has proven to fulfill the high expectations, both as a wind tunnel and testing facility.