BMW's New Wind Tunnel Is Bigger Than The McLaren F1 Team's

12/14/2024 07:32 AM

In the days before all-electric vehicles, wind noise wasn't a problem. In a gas-powered car, wind noise has to be particularly egregious to be heard over engine and tire noise. However, electric motors make little sound and tire manufacturers have been working on reducing tire noise with their EV-specific rubber. That means it's now time to tackle wind noise, so BMW has spent three years developing and building the Aeroacoustics and E-Drive Centre (AEC), which includes the world's largest standing wind tunnel of its type. For developing pleasing aeroacoustics, the wind tunnel is soundproofed and features an acoustic camera made up of 216 microphones for detailed measurements and precise location of noises within a centimeter.