Pininfarina Wind Tunnel is active in the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic field, mainly on full-scale passenger cars
Wind Tunnel Services
- Aerodynamic Testing
- Aeroacoustic Testing
- Building Architecture Testing
Aerodynamic Testing
The Pininfarina Wind Tunnel is a precision tool for conducting aerodynamic tests. The constant introduction of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies allows for continupous improvement in th realism and accurancy of the measuremnets taken. For example, the relative movement of the ground plane to the vehicle is replicated using the Ground Effect Simulation System, greatly enhancing the accuracy of the underbody flow features. Furthermore, ambient wind, overtaking and wind gusts can be emulated with the Turbulence Generation System, allowing for aerodynamic and aeroacoustic analysis in realistic flows conditions. In addition to aerodynamic force measurements, the wind tunnel offers a gamut of measurement techniques capable of capturing cooling flows, pressure fields, vorticity and reverse flow regions.
Ground Effect Simulation System
The Ground Effect Simulation System (GESS) replicates the relative movement between the ground and a moving vehicle. The system consists of four rollers and three synchronized moving belts with the flow velocity. The three belts cover the width of the vehicle ahead of the front axle, with the central one running underneath the entire length of the vehicle. This configuration provides an excellent approximation of ground effect at the front of the vehicle, ideal for high-performance applications and motorsport.
Turbulence Generation System
The Turbulence Generation System (TGS) utilizes five pairs of flapping wings upstream of the vehicle to generate turbulence at frequencies across the entire Von Karman spectrum. A variety of flow conditions can be replicated by varying the flapping frequencies and phases of the TGS. Using this system, clients can attain aerodynamic and aeroacoustic measurements that more accurately represent real world conditions. The TGS is capable of reproducing:
• The wake of a downforce producing vehicle
• The wake of a lift producing vehicle
• Ambient wind conditions (High and low traffic)
• Initial phase of a vehicle overtaking manoeuvre
• Continuous yaw angle variations
• Wind gust (frontal and lateral)
Flow Visualization and Measurement
Pininfarina offers a variety of flow visualization and measurement techniques gained over decades of research and development. The proprietary PF14 pressure probe can be used for the rapid measurement of velocity and pressure fields, vorticity and micro-drag along a plane yielding valuable information for the evaluation of a given flow field and correlation to CFD simulations. Pininfarina also offers optical methods such as 3D stereoscopic PIV, pressure-based methods, and vane anemometry methods for the measure of both external and cooling flows.
Aeroacoustic Testing
Whether in the cabin of a car, at the helm of a yacht, or on the balcony of a high-rise building, aeroacoustic noise can have a drastic impact on user comfort and perception. Regardless of the application, the Pininfarina wind tunnel is well equipped to identify and characterize aeroacoustic noise. The wind tunnel employs frontal, lateral, and overhead external microphone arrays in conjunction with beamforming analysis to pinpoint external aeroacoustic noise sources. Interior noise can be quantified via four calibrated acoustic heads or visualized via a spherical microphone array allowing for the identification of noise ingress points.
Building Architecture Testing
The competencies of the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel extend well outside of the automotive sector. For example, scale models of buildings as well as full sized architectural components are evaluated in the wind tunnel to determine aerodynamic and aeroacoustics performance.
Depending on the geometry, certain architectural features can introduce excessive vibration and wind loading on the building, jeopardizing its structural integrity. Furthermore, incorrect design or placement of architectural elements can introduce significant wind noise at street level as well as for building occupants. Therefore, aerodynamic and aeroacoustics performed in the wind tunnel are critical to identifying and solving potential issues, ensuring maximum levels of structural performance and noise comfort.
Applications
Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of vehicles
Passenger cars
Racing Cars
Low-drag research cars
Heavy trucks (scale models)
Two-wheeled vehicles
Aircraft (scale models)
Industrial vehicles
High-speed trains (scale models)
Components (open roofs, soft-tops, internal flows, radiators, ski-racks, etc.)
Wind engineering, sport and others
Buildings (scale models or sections)
Infrastructure (scale models or sections)
Bridges (scale models or sections)
Sporting goods
Athletes
Expertise in Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Testing
Design and Validation
Pininfarina’s Wind Tunnel in Grugliasco, near Turin, is a key in-house facility for a design house that directly connects design, engineering and experimental validation. This integration allows aerodynamic performance to inform the project from its earliest stages, supported by data generated within the same development environment.
The testing process can begin with initial sketches and early volumetric data, continue through simulations and physical models, and progress to the testing and validation of the final prototype. Aerodynamics therefore becomes an integral part of product development rather than a separate verification activity performed only once the design has been defined.
CFD and Wind Tunnel Testing
Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis enables teams to assess geometries and configurations rapidly, identifying the most promising design directions. Subsequent wind tunnel testing makes it possible to compare numerical predictions with experimental measurements collected under controlled conditions.
Through iterative cycles of CFD simulation, physical testing and model refinement, the correlation between numerical and experimental data becomes progressively more accurate. Aerodynamic findings can then be translated into practical guidance for both design and engineering, supporting decisions on form, performance and technical development.
Wind Tunnel Applications
The flexibility of the facility supports testing programs tailored to a wide variety of objects and operating conditions. In addition to cars, the test chamber can accommodate motorcycles in different riding configurations, individual components, sports equipment, technical fabrics and sections of buildings.
Testing can assess performance, stability and aerodynamic, thermal and acoustic comfort. It may also examine how people respond when exposed to airflow, within clearly defined safety parameters.
This versatility extends the scope of aerodynamic research beyond conventional vehicle development. Testing equipment, configurations and protocols can be adapted to the specific objectives, dimensions and requirements of each project.
Tailored Workflows
Much of the software used to acquire, control, process and present test data is developed in-house. This makes it possible to configure workflows, reports and deliverables around each client’s requirements, without relying exclusively on standardized tools and predefined outputs.
The Wind Tunnel therefore operates as a flexible development platform. It measures performance, makes aerodynamic and aeroacoustic phenomena visible, and turns test results into actionable information. By supporting faster and better-informed decisions, it contributes to product development from early exploration through final validation.