Visit at Audi Hungaria´s new wind testing facility
As Audi manufactures most of its cabriolets in Győr, the plant needed to implement a technology that guarantees proper insulation, low wind noise and silently closing doors for the German premium car maker´s roadsters. In order to optimise production and achieve the highest possible quality, Audi Hungaria has built a wind tunnel at the Győr plant.
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| Audi Hungaria's new wind testing facility in Győr |
This 250-square-metre facility is different from the wind tunnels used during the development phase, but at fifth of the price it is sufficient for perfecting production.
The wind tunnel at Audi Hungaria turned out so well – local engineers are saying that it should be called a wind simulation facility – that the company brings Audi Q7 cars over from the neighbouring Bratislava factory for testing. The size of the SUV is not a problem, the facility was designed to suit larger models as well.
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| A team of professionals are responsible for wind tunnel testing |
At the moment Audi Hungaria carries out random tests at the wind tunnel, looking for disturbing factors that can be easily fixed during production.
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| The new A3 Sedan will recieve special attention |
Cars are tested at 160km/h, a testing facility capable of higher speeds would have significantly increased costs and the company says that what is already a problem at 160km/h will also be a problem at 250. Sidewind testing is also possible at Audi Hungaria's new wind tunnel as the car can be rotated at 15 degrees on the platform.
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| The wind is generated by a 250kW electric motor |
Audi carries out objective and comparative tests at the new facility, which is why a static temperature is very important. Should it be necessary, cars can be tested at unique temperatures as the air is circulated in a closed system.
The wind is generated by a 250kW Siemens electric motor with LTG blades and sophisticated soundproofing at two sides. The electric motor, with a nosie level of 80dB, operates at 1,000rpm. As the car's engine is not running, there is no other disturbing noise, the results are clear and objective.
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| A sophisticated sound-proofing system doesn't let the disturbing noises through to the testing area |
Currently 10 to 15 cars are tested at Audi Hungaria's wind tunnel every day. The Audi TT Roadster is a frequent visitor, but as a new entrant in J.D. Power's latest study on customer satisfaction, the Audi A3 Sedan will also be tested extensively at the new wind testing facility.
