The design of a car is determined by numerous factors, such as economics, manufacturing techniques and aesthetic preferences that differ across national cultures.
Car designers enjoy great freedom to express themselves, yet must still abide by a few basic guidelines and constraints. This article explains some of these regulations and examines how they affect design decisions.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is the science of how a car or airplane moves through air. It plays an integral role in automobile design, helping improve fuel economy and safety.
Aerodynamics engineers use computer simulations and wind tunnels to test how a vehicle’s shape will affect airflow around it. They also utilize other tools like clay models or mock-ups to identify areas that may trap or move air poorly.
One important factor in turbulence is lift, or when air above a car travels faster than below. This creates a net negative pressure on the upper surface and may cause swirling.
Aerodynamics can improve handling and vehicle stability, reduce noise inside the cabin, keep brakes cool and optimize heating/air conditioning systems. But this complex process necessitates extensive research – including extensive wind tunnel testing.
Fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is an integral aspect of car design. The aim is to get the highest mileage with a given amount of gas.
Fuel efficiency of a vehicle is determined by several factors, including engine configuration, size and type. Larger engines use more fuel than smaller ones since they must work harder for the same amount of power output.
Drivers have a major role to play in improving fuel efficiency of a vehicle, as they can make simple adjustments that will save them money over time. These include cutting back on idling time, driving more efficiently, and adhering to maintenance schedules.
An additional advantage of fuel-efficient vehicles is that they tend to last longer. Fuel efficient cars are less vulnerable to issues like worn tires, malfunctioning engines or clogged injectors – which benefits drivers and the environment alike. That’s why fuel efficiency has become such a top priority for automakers and drivers alike: cutting down on harmful tailpipe emissions while decreasing our nation’s reliance on oil.
Styling
The aesthetics of a vehicle can have an enormous influence on buyer decisions. Studies have even linked product aesthetics to 60% of purchasing decisions within the automotive industry.
Furthermore, many car manufacturers are taking advantage of fashion trends when designing their vehicles. This includes leather trims and sleek designs that are currently popular among today’s customers.
Styling is a design discipline that examines the visual and acoustic qualities of a vehicle’s form, exterior/interior surfaces, colors, materials used in production as well as how these affect user experience through UI/UX design and soundproofing.
Styling is an integral part of vehicle development and must be aligned to a vision created prior to this phase. Even seemingly minor changes to styling or design can have major repercussions on the final vehicle, leading to budget overruns and delays in production. During this stage, stylists and engineers must collaborate closely in order to bring that vision into reality.
Safety
Safety is one of the most essential features in car design. It determines whether a vehicle will survive an accident and how well it protects both its driver and passengers.
In the 1930s, physicians and scientists became concerned about motorist injuries and fatalities due to automobile accidents. After studying crash tests conducted at universities, they recommended that seat belts, padded dashboards, strong door latches, and other safety features be added to production cars.
Auto manufacturers often prioritized aesthetics and novelty over safety. Despite their attempts to attract customers with new designs, they continued to use potentially hazardous techniques that compromised driver protection and caused public outrage.
Consumers became increasingly aware of the need for safer vehicles as a result. Their unwavering demands led Ralph Nader to pen Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-in Dangers of the American Automobile, and federal legislation was passed mandating lifesaving equipment in all new cars by 2017.