Aerodynamic Analysis of the Audi R8 V10 Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Methods Across Vehicle Speed Variations

Abstract

Despite the widespread application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in vehicle aerodynamic analysis, limited studies have focused on high-performance sports cars under varying operating speeds. This study investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of the Audi R8 V10 using three-dimensional CFD simulations performed in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation. The objective is to evaluate the influence of vehicle speed on aerodynamic drag and lift forces affecting vehicle stability. Simulations were conducted under steady-state external flow conditions at vehicle speeds of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 km/h using standard atmospheric properties. The convergence criterion was monitored until all engineering goals reached 100% convergence, ensuring numerical stability and solution reliability. The simulation results indicate that increasing vehicle speed significantly increases both drag and lift forces due to higher aerodynamic loading on the vehicle body. Pressure contour and airflow streamline analyses further reveal the formation of high-pressure regions at the vehicle front and flow separation behind the rear section, which contribute to aerodynamic resistance. The findings demonstrate that CFD provides an effective approach for evaluating aerodynamic performance and can support the optimization of aerodynamic devices, such as spoilers and diffusers, to improve vehicle stability and energy efficiency at higher operating speeds.