From speed, to standard features, to warranties, the competition between different car brands
never seems to end. So who will reign when it comes to the most aerodynamic car? The winner and runners up are determined by their coefficient drag value (Cd). Testing is done inside a large wind tunnel. Everything from the shape of the headlights
, to the materials used to fabricate the body, are assessed by engineers in order to improve the design. The most aerodynamic car
Luxury car company, Mercedes-Benz, has achieved a 0.20 Cd with the new EQS sedan. It’s an electric vehicle with futuristic styling. According to CNET
, it outperforms other competitors in this category, like the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air. The exterior design is cabin-forward with a singular bowed profile. Instead of a traditional grille, the EQS has a black panel. The low hood is clam-shaped. It has short overhangs and active shutters in the lower air intake. The aerodynamics are optimized thanks to window seals and door handles that remain flush when the car is in motion. Even the underbody is smooth.
Owners have a wide range of options, like smooth-faced wheels ranging from 19 to 22 inches, to the aggressive bumper designs from the AMG line. Regardless of how the Mercedes EQS is configured, it’s still the most aerodynamic car on the market.
Other aerodynamic cars
Of course, Mercedes-Benz is not new to the aerodynamics game. The company’s A-Class and CLA variants have a 0.22 Cd, as per Car and Driver
. Even the S-Class Saloon boasts 0.24 Cd thanks to the active grille shutters that enhance airflow. The Toyota Prius shares the same coefficient drag value as the latter. It has underbody panels and an advanced roofline. Its competitor, the Hyundai Ioniq, also maximizes aerodynamic stability thanks to its teardrop shape and integrated rear spoiler.
When it comes to SUVs, the Tesla Model X is the most aerodynamic at 0.25 Cd. Other vehicles that make the cut include the Audi A6, Mazda 3 Saloon, and Kia Optima Hybrid. BMW offers buyers two efficient rides with the electronically controlled engine cooling in the 7 Series L, and specific cut-outs with the i8.
MORE: The 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Interior Is Smooth and Futuristic
A history of the most aerodynamic cars
Mercedes-Benz did not always own the title of most aerodynamic car, however. The record is jointly held by the 1996 General Motors EV1, and the 2013 Volkswagen XL1. Both had an impressive coefficient drag value of 0.19.
But car companies have been busy building aerodynamic vehicles for years. The earliest example dates back to the aircraft-inspired 1947 Saab 92. Hagerty
reports that the car’s flanks were stamped from a single sheet of metal. The 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia experimented with sleek saloon styling. Citroën had the 1955 DS, but really hit its stride with the 1970 GS. The bumpers and window glass on the 1982 Audi 100 were flush with the car’s body. Others that followed include the 1989 Opel/Vauxhall Calibra, 1999 Honda Insight, and 1999 Audi A2.
Car buyers can opt for one of these used classics, or the modern Mercedes EQS, when seeking an aerodynamic vehicle. Jerry
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