The most modern calculation methods used in the optimisation of the ID. R, the electric race car, for the record attempt on the NĂźrburgring-Nordschleife
Simulations for driving dynamics, energy management, aerodynamics and structure
Parallels between the development of the ID. R and the fully electric production vehicles of the ID. family
The continuous development of the ID. R is in full swing. The prototype, powered by two electric motors with a 500 kW (680 PS) system performance, will in summer 2019 hunt down the lap record for electric vehicles on the NĂźrburgring-Nordschleife with Romain Dumas at the wheel. As well as extensive test drives and the work in the wind tunnel, Volkswagen Motorsport is also strongly relying on computer simulations in the preparation phase. These digital tools not only represent essential support for the engineers, they also have the advantage of time and cost savings.
âWhile Romain Dumas practices the track or tests various chassis set-ups on the driving simulator, simulation technology also plays a crucial role for the engineers as well,â explains Dr Benjamin Ahrenholz, head of calculation/simulation at Volkswagen Motorsport. âWith regard to the NĂźrburgring-Nordschleife, we are in the fortunate position of being in possession of a wealth of data on the track layout and road surface. This allows us to adapt the ID. R virtually as efficiently as possible, despite the fact it has never driven a lap of the Nordschleife before.â
Whatever Romain Dumas inputs through the virtual cockpit â technically known as âDriver in the Loopâ â the computer then builds upon in the offline driving dynamics simulation, whereby it completes, theoretically, an infinite number of laps with a saved profile. In this way, the simulations can determine how different power outputs of the motors or shifts in the vehicleâs centre of gravity (among other things) affect the ultimate lap time. This is all with the aim of optimising the handling of the car and the responsiveness of the motors.
In the flow simulation, the Volkswagen Motorsport aerodynamics department uses CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) technology to study how the airflow is channelled around the ID. R as well as through the cooling systems most effectively. The ideal compromise between downforce and aerodynamic drag is sought after. Battery simulation compares different power management and recuperation strategies to ensure the most efficient use of the electrical energy, which is stored in the batteries and recovered during braking.
The simulations fulfil similar tasks in motorsport and production vehicle development
Finally, the structure simulation deals with the mechanical design of individual components. âThe NĂźrburgring-Nordschleife poses high demands on the structure of the race car. A focus of the structure simulation is therefore to calculate the loads on the chassis, suspension and bodywork of the ID. R,â describes Ahrenholz. For example, the so-called topology optimisation is something also employed in the development of production vehicles. âA typical task in structural simulation is to design a component within a given space,â adds Ahrenholz. Whereas in production vehicle development the requirements mostly relate to durability and economical construction, the priorities concerning the ID. R are both ensuring necessary stability while also keeping the car as light as possible.
Since the complex simulations demand an extremely high computer capacity, Ahrenholz and his team are receiving extensive support from Technical Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg. âThe calculations are so complex and so time-consuming that sometimes we distribute them over several hundred computers. They use, so to speak, âteam workâ to tackle the tasks,â explains Ahrenholz. âFor the construction of these so-called âclustersâ, we also use the computer capacities from production development.â
3D printing for particularly complex parts
Even the ID. Râs rear wing mount, for which a simple plate would have been effective â though too heavy â, had to be created on a computer. âThe algorithm developed the structure of this bracket in a way that almost looks like organic growth,â continues Ahrenholz. Ultimately, with regard to the rear wing mount, the computer produced a complex structure that provides sufficient tensile strength in the loaded areas, as well as thinner material or even cavities in the other areas.
Highly elaborately shaped parts, like for example cable fixtures or aerodynamic components, could conventionally only ever be made in a time-consuming and costly way. âWhen itâs required, we manufacture these components as individual pieces made of special plastics in 3D printers. This usually concerns relatively small parts that are not exposed to high mechanical loads,â says Ahrenholz.
3D printing plays only a minor role in the construction of production vehicles. But the computer simulations used by Volkswagen Motorsport are the same as those employed by Volkswagen in the development of the ID. range. These repeated parallels between motorsport and production vehicles are no coincidence: the ID. R race car is the racing forerunner to the ID. product family, with which Volkswagen is to launch an extensive electro-mobility offensive from 2020.
