Alfa Romeo Giulia Photo in Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel

Orbassano

The Wind Tunnels are located about 7 km west of Turin, in an area that also includes the Safety Center and a test track.

Who we are

The Aerodynamic Wind Tunnels make it possible to simulate the vehicle's behaviour on the road and to detect its aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics, up to speeds above 200 km/h.
Climate Tunnels allow you to simulate the behavior of the vehicle as if it were on the road, in extreme driving and climatic conditions.

Gallery

Skier with ski suit in climatic wind tunnel

Photo of helmet and glasses in cold climate tunnel

Our WindTunnels

All the Wind Tunnels present are mainly used for tests on motor vehicles, but can also accommodate other test objects such as motorcycles, bicycles, sports, building and construction,...

Full Scale Aerodynamic Tunnel

The Full Scale Aerodynamic Tunnel allows you to reach speeds of about 210 kph and test vehicles or objects with frontal area dimensions up to about 5 m^2. In the case of aerodynamic tests, the maximum wheelbase is 3.6 m. The activities are generally related to the measurement of aerodynamic coefficients in various conditions, to the analysis of aeroacoustic characteristics and shape noise, and finally to the measurement of the velocity and pressure field outside the object under test, such as the detection of the wake.

Side view of Alfa Romeo Giulia in full scale aerodynamic wind tunnel

Aerodynamic Model Wind Tunnel

The Aerodynamic Model Wind Tunnel allows to try out models up to 40% scale in road-like conditions. It is in fact equipped with a "wide" moving belt that simulates the movement relative to the road/vehicle. The balance is housed inside the model together with a uniaxial alignment variator to modify the pitch angle. The top speed is usually limited to 200 kph but can reach 270 kph for particular types of tests. As an option, it is possible to move to a test chamber condition without soil, therefore completely "open".

Photo Model Alfa Romeo Giulietta with sensors

Hot Climate Wind Tunnel

The Hot Climate Wind Tunnel allows to test different type of vehicles within a temperature range from +15°C to +55°C, relative humidity range from 20% to 90%, and solar radiation simulation with intensity varying from 700 to 1200 W/m². The maximum wind speed achievable is 160 km/h over a section of approximately 8 m². The tunnel is equipped with a new generation 4WD dynamometer capable of reaching speeds up to 250 km/h and dissipating power up to 400 kW per axle. The facility is managed by a centralized system that allows data acquisition from various types of sensors.

Cold Climate Wind Tunnel

The Cold Climate Wind Tunnel enables testing of various types of vehicles within a temperature range from +15°C to -40°C, with a maximum wind speed of 120 km/h over a section of approximately 12 m². The tunnel features a new generation 4WD dynamometer capable of reaching speeds up to 250 km/h and dissipating power up to 400 kW per axle. Light rain conditions can be simulated using a system of four inline nozzles positioned in front of the vehicle. The facility is managed by a centralized system that allows data acquisition from various types of sensors.

Frontal Photo of skier in cold wind tunnel

Climatic Drive Cell

The Climate Drive cell enables testing of various types of vehicles within a temperature range from -40°C to +60°C, relative humidity range from 20% to 90%, and solar radiation simulation with intensity varying from 700 to 1200 W/m². The maximum wind speed achievable is approximately 180 km/h over a section of about 2 m². The chamber is equipped with a new generation 4WD dynamometer capable of reaching speeds up to 250 km/h and dissipating power up to 400 kW per axle. The facility features sound insulation, making it suitable for NVH testing at extreme temperatures. Additionally, it is equipped with a safety system that allows testing of vehicles powered by LPG or CNG. The facility is managed by a centralized system that allows data acquisition from various types of sensors.

Front photo of helmet in thermo-acoustic tunnel

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