In addition to extensive test drives and work in the wind tunnel, Volkswagen Motorsport relies heavily on computer simulations in the preparatory phase.

While Romain Dumas trains the track or tests different suspension settings of the ID. R in the driving simulator, simulation technology has an important role for the engineers, "explains Dr. Benjamin Ahrenholz, Head of Calculation / Simulation at Volkswagen Motorsport. What Pilot Dumas plays through in the virtual cockpit - "Driver in the Loop" - is supplemented by the computer in the offline vehicle dynamics simulation, in which it theoretically can run an infinite number of laps with a stored profile.

With flow simulations, the aerodynamics department investigates how the air most effectively is guided around the car and through the cooling systems and find an ideal compromise between downforce and aerodynamic drag. Battery simulation compares power management and recuperation strategies to make the most efficient use of electrical energy stored in the batteries and recovered during braking.

The structure simulation deals with the mechanical design of the components. One focus of the structural simulation is the calculation of the load on the chassis and body of the ID. R. The structure development also uses topology optimization. A typical task is to design a component within a given space. While in mass production the requirements mostly concern the longest possible durability and economic production, the priority was here to make the ID. R: as stable as necessary and as light as possible.

More Information: volkswagen-newsroom.com