在2015年法蘭克福車展的5場(chǎng)全球首秀中，梅賽德斯奔馳向觀眾展示了智能空氣動(dòng)力概念車（Concept IAA），這家德國(guó)汽車制造商將其稱為“數(shù)字變形金剛”。戴姆勒管理委員會(huì)主席兼梅賽德斯奔馳總裁Dieter Zetsche表示，這輛概念車是梅賽德斯奔馳專為展示其在汽車研發(fā)生產(chǎn)的數(shù)字化方面的成就而設(shè)計(jì)的。
“Concept IAA可以證明，在梅賽德斯奔馳，真實(shí)世界與虛擬世界正在不斷融合，” Zetsche在法蘭克福車展的概念車發(fā)布會(huì)上表示。“Concept IAA的開(kāi)發(fā)速度比過(guò)去任何一款概念車都要快。以前要花上一年半左右，但現(xiàn)在隨著數(shù)字化技術(shù)的發(fā)展，我們?cè)?0個(gè)月不到的時(shí)間里就完成了開(kāi)發(fā)工作。”
這輛四門轎跑總長(zhǎng)為5040 mm (198.4 in)——在“空氣動(dòng)力模式”（詳見(jiàn)下文）下，總長(zhǎng)為5430 mm (213.8 英寸)，寬度為1995 mm (78.5 英寸) ，高度為1305 mm (51.4 英寸) 。軸距2975 mm (117.1 英寸)，前后輪距分別為1710mm和1770 mm (67.3英寸和69.7 英寸)。
總輸出為205 kW (275 hp)的汽油-電動(dòng)插電式混合動(dòng)力系統(tǒng)可讓這輛概念車的電子限速最高達(dá)到250 km/h (155 mph)?？諝鈩?dòng)力模式下的全電動(dòng)里程為66 km (41 英里)，二氧化碳排放量為28 g/km。在車身較短的“設(shè)計(jì)模式”下，全電動(dòng)里程為62 km (38 英里)，二氧化碳排放量為31 g/km。
主動(dòng)空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)技術(shù)
據(jù)梅賽德斯稱，Concept IAA以0.19的拖曳系數(shù)打破了空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)性能的世界紀(jì)錄。在車速為80 km/h (50 mph)左右時(shí)，車輛會(huì)通過(guò)主動(dòng)改變多個(gè)空氣動(dòng)力配置，自動(dòng)從設(shè)計(jì)模式轉(zhuǎn)換至空氣動(dòng)力模式。
在車輛尾端，由碳纖維強(qiáng)化塑料（CFRP）制作而成的8個(gè)組件可將車身延長(zhǎng)至多390 mm (15.4 英寸)，顯著減小車身后方的滯后流與拖曳。前保險(xiǎn)杠上的翻板可向外延伸25 mm (1.0 英寸)并向后延伸200 mm (7.9 英寸)，改善車身前端與前輪區(qū)域的氣流。前保險(xiǎn)杠上的翼片可收縮60 mm (2.4 英寸)，以改善車身下方的氣流。此外，主動(dòng)輪緣可將翹彎度從50 mm (2.0 英寸)改變成0，也就是將五幅輪改變成圓盤輪。
如此變形后，汽車的拖曳系數(shù)從0.25降至0.19，前端總面積變?yōu)?.16 m² (23.3 ft²)。由于車頂輪廓線的下坡點(diǎn)變得更靠前，因此設(shè)計(jì)師們?yōu)楹笞戏降能嚿碓O(shè)計(jì)了兩個(gè)“凸起”，從而保證后座乘客有足夠的頭部空間。
其他空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)的優(yōu)化設(shè)計(jì)包括：適應(yīng)車外氣流的車窗，用藍(lán)色LED觸屏代替門把手，降低底盤（離地間隙100 mm）等。車身下方的嵌板可部分遮蓋中央通道，上面的洞孔有助于排氣系統(tǒng)的冷卻與后橋的大面積覆層。位于前輪拱罩后方側(cè)面排氣孔內(nèi)的攝像頭可將圖像投射在車內(nèi)的多畫面后視鏡上，這樣就無(wú)需使用外部后視鏡了。
在這輛全新的C級(jí)車上，還有一個(gè)可調(diào)節(jié)的散熱格柵百葉窗（氣流板）可用于減少拖曳。只有當(dāng)冷卻要求不高的時(shí)候，散熱格柵里的同軸百葉窗才會(huì)關(guān)閉，以防空氣進(jìn)入發(fā)動(dòng)機(jī)室。接著，通過(guò)梅賽德斯的星形標(biāo)志與保險(xiǎn)桿上的冷卻敞口可進(jìn)行基礎(chǔ)通風(fēng)。
上述空氣動(dòng)力設(shè)計(jì)都是在數(shù)字氣流模擬的輔助下完成的。梅賽德斯的空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)專家使用了約100萬(wàn)CPU小時(shí)才完成了氣流的模擬，共做出約300個(gè)版本。其中涉及的工作量幾乎相當(dāng)于研發(fā)一輛成品車所需的工作量。最后在辛德?tīng)柗腋娘L(fēng)洞中對(duì)車輛進(jìn)行細(xì)節(jié)調(diào)整。
“Concept IAA采用智能創(chuàng)新來(lái)解決功能與美學(xué)之間的沖突，并展示出我們?cè)谔岣咝史矫娴谋姸嗑蕜?chuàng)意，” 戴姆勒管理委員會(huì)集團(tuán)研究負(fù)責(zé)人、梅賽德斯奔馳汽車研發(fā)中心總裁Thomas Weber教授表示。
數(shù)字化與連接性
除了令人印象深刻的汽車動(dòng)力學(xué)之外，Concept IAA還反映出了正在汽車行業(yè)中發(fā)生的“根本性技術(shù)變革”，而該變革的驅(qū)動(dòng)力正是“數(shù)字化——也稱工業(yè)4.0”。Zetsche表示，梅賽德斯奔馳正在將從研發(fā)到生產(chǎn)、市場(chǎng)、銷售、物流和服務(wù)的一整條流程進(jìn)行數(shù)字化發(fā)展。
這輛概念車的設(shè)計(jì)與空氣動(dòng)力造型正是不同專業(yè)部門之間數(shù)字化聯(lián)網(wǎng)的成果。設(shè)計(jì)師采用最新的算法設(shè)計(jì)方法來(lái)處理復(fù)雜的形狀，接著用快速原型等生產(chǎn)技術(shù)將其變?yōu)楝F(xiàn)實(shí)。
這輛概念車還裝有無(wú)人駕駛與V2X通訊所需的大量傳感器與模塊。在車內(nèi)，Concept IAA延續(xù)了S級(jí)車與S級(jí)轎跑的設(shè)計(jì)主題。梅賽德斯還稱，全新的觸摸式功能鍵預(yù)示著近未來(lái)的商務(wù)沙龍的模樣。
儀表板由2塊12.3英寸的屏幕并排組成，顯示器以嵌裝的方式安裝于擋風(fēng)玻璃后方。所有的玻璃元素都是粘合在一起的，連擋風(fēng)玻璃和薄膜之間的最小間隙也在生產(chǎn)過(guò)程中用一種透明膠得到了填充。梅賽德斯表示，這不僅顯著提升了玻璃的光學(xué)性能，還可以使屏幕更堅(jiān)固。
中控臺(tái)是一個(gè)曲面玻璃結(jié)構(gòu)，內(nèi)部整合了一個(gè)接觸式顯示屏。駕駛員可在此操作空調(diào)，調(diào)節(jié)座椅，此外不同操作菜單的進(jìn)入按鈕也放在這里。車身外部的空氣動(dòng)力裝置也可在一張新菜單上進(jìn)行控制。
雙輻方向盤上也有觸摸式操作功能：鑲嵌在組件中的OFN（視覺(jué)手指導(dǎo)向）按鈕，采用與中控臺(tái)觸摸板類似的盤旋式樣，駕駛員可以滾動(dòng)按鈕來(lái)選擇儀表板菜單。位于左側(cè)的OFN按鈕可以控制左側(cè)顯示儀，右側(cè)按鈕則可控制右側(cè)顯示儀。
車身飾條都是用鋁合金制成的，展示車的地板鋪上了皮革墊子。8個(gè)通風(fēng)口都是由施華洛世奇制作，以藍(lán)紅環(huán)境燈映襯。
作者：Ryan Gehm
來(lái)源：SAE 《汽車工程雜志》
翻譯：SAE 上海辦公室
Mercedes' concept stresses connectivity, record-breaking aerodynamics
Among its five world premieres at the IAA (Frankfurt Motor Show) 2015, Mercedes-Benz surprised show-goers with the Concept Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile (Concept IAA), which the German automaker also calls the “Digital Transformer.” The concept car is designed to show how far advanced Mercedes-Benz already is in the “digitalization” of automotive development and production, according to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
“The Concept IAA shows that the real and the virtual world are merging more and more at Mercedes-Benz,” said Zetsche, speaking at the concept's Frankfurt Motor Show reveal. “Never before have we developed a vehicle concept as quickly as our Concept IAA. What previously took up to one and a half years, we managed in less than 10 months thanks to digitalization.”
The four-door "coupe" is 5040 mm (198.4 in) long—5430 mm (213.8 in) long when in “aerodynamic mode” (see below)—1995 mm (78.5 in) wide, and 1305 mm (51.4 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2975 mm (117.1 in), and the front/rear track widths are 1710 and 1770 mm (67.3 and 69.7 in), respectively.
A gasoline/electric plug-in hybrid drive with a total output of 205 kW (275 hp) provides the concept car with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). In aero mode, the vehicle manages an all-electric range of 66 km (41 mi) and emits 28 g/km of CO2. In shorter “design mode,” the range is 62 km (38 mi) and CO2 emissions are 31 g/km.
Active aerodynamics
The Concept IAA is a world record-breaker for aerodynamics, according to Mercedes, with a Cd figure of 0.19. At around 80 km/h (50 mph), the vehicle automatically switches from design mode to aerodynamic mode, changing its form with a number of active aerodynamic features.
At the rear end, eight segments made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) deploy to extend its length by up to 390 mm (15.4 in), “substantially” reducing the after-flow zone behind the vehicle and thus drag. Flaps in the front bumper extend outward by 25 mm (1.0 in) and rearward by 200 mm (7.9 in), improving airflow around the front end and the front wheel arches. The fin in the front bumper retracts by 60 mm (2.4 in) to improve flow along the underbody. In addition, active wheel rims change their cupping from 50 mm (2.0 in) to zero—from five-spoke to flat-disc wheels.
As a result of this transformation, the Cd value improves from 0.25 to 0.19. The frontal area totals 2.16 m² (23.3 ft²). Because the downward slope of the concept car’s roofline begins further toward the front, designers incorporated two “rises” over the rear seats to offer the rear passengers sufficient headroom.
Other aerodynamic optimizations include windows that fit flush on the outside, a blue LED touchpad instead of door handles, and lowering of the chassis, resulting in a ground clearance of 100 mm (3.9 in). The underbody paneling partially covers the center tunnel, with perforations to allow cooling of the exhaust system, and extensive cladding on the rear axle. Cameras in the side air outlets behind the front wheel arches project images onto the split-screen rearview mirror in the interior, making exterior mirrors unnecessary.
As on the new C-Class, an adjustable radiator grille shutter (air panel) helps to reduce drag. When only low cooling requirements apply, the concentric louvers in the radiator grille are closed to prevent air from entering into the engine compartment. Basic ventilation then occurs primarily via the Mercedes star and the cooling air opening in the bumper.
The aerodynamic features were developed with the aid of numerical flow simulation. The automaker’s aerodynamics experts used around one million CPU hours to simulate the airflow, working through around 300 variants. The work involved is roughly equivalent to that required to develop a production model, according to Mercedes. Fine-tuning then took place in the wind tunnel in Sindelfingen.
“The Concept IAA applies intelligent innovations to resolve the conflicting aims of functionality and aesthetics and shows that we still have plenty of ideas on how to achieve further improvements in efficiency,” said Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
Digitalization and connectivity
In addition to impressive aerodynamics, the Concept IAA reflects the “fundamental technological changes” taking place in the automotive industry, for which the primary driving force is "digitalization, also known as Industry 4.0." According to Zetsche, a continuous digital process chain from research and development through production to marketing and sales, logistics, and service is already becoming a reality at Mercedes-Benz.
The design and aerodynamic shaping of the concept was aided by the digital networking of different specialist departments. Designers employed the latest algorithmic design methods to handle the complex geometries, which were turned into reality via production technologies such as rapid prototyping.
The concept car also is equipped with a large number of sensors and modules that enables autonomous driving and car-to-x communication. Inside, the Concept IAA continues the design theme of the S-Class and S-Class Coupe. New touch-based functions hint at what the interior of a business saloon might look like in the near future, Mercedes says.
The automaker worked with Silicon Valley-based Nvidia and The Foundry, a creative-software developer for visual effects and games, on the in-vehicle digital displays.
The instrument cluster consists of two 12.3-in screens positioned side by side. The displays are flush-mounted behind glass. The glass elements are all bonded, which involves filling the minimal gap between front glass and film with a transparent adhesive in the production process. This provides for substantially improved optical quality and robust screens, according to Mercedes.
The center console features a trim element of curved glass in which a touch display is integrated. This is where air-conditioning and seat-adjustment functions are operated, and where entry buttons for the different operating menus are located. The exterior aerodynamic elements can be controlled in a new menu.
The two-spoke steering wheel also incorporates touch-based operating functions: OFN (Optical Finger Navigation) buttons, embedded in the clusters in a similar hovering manner as the touchpad in the center console, allow the driver to scroll through the instrument cluster menus. The OFN button on the left controls the left-hand display, the button on the right controls the right-hand display.
Trim elements are all-aluminum, and the entire floor of the show car is covered in leather. The eight air vents have been produced by Swarovski, accented by blue and red ambient lighting.
Author: Ryan Gehm
Source: SAE Automotive Engineering Magazine
總輸出為205 kW (275 hp)的汽油機(jī)-插電式混合動(dòng)力系統(tǒng)可讓這輛概念車的電子限速最高達(dá)到250 km/h (155 mph)?？諝鈩?dòng)力模式下的全電動(dòng)里程為66 km (41 英里)，二氧化碳排放量為28g/km。在車身較短的“原設(shè)計(jì)模式”下，里程為62km (38 英里)，二氧化碳排放量為31 g/km。
ConceptIAA的主動(dòng)空氣動(dòng)力設(shè)計(jì)的拖曳系數(shù)為0.19。在尾端，由碳纖維強(qiáng)化塑料（CFRP）制作而成的8個(gè)組件可將車身延長(zhǎng)至多390mm (15.4 英寸)，顯著減小車身后方的滯后流與拖曳。
其他空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)的優(yōu)化設(shè)計(jì)包括：適應(yīng)車外氣流的車窗，用藍(lán)色LED觸屏代替車門把手，降低底盤（離地間隙100mm）等。
主動(dòng)輪緣可將翹彎度從50 mm (2.0 英寸)改變成0，也就是將五幅輪改變成圓形盤輪。
內(nèi)飾設(shè)計(jì)采用了“基于接觸式”的操作原則。中控臺(tái)是一個(gè)曲面玻璃結(jié)構(gòu)，內(nèi)部整合了一個(gè)接觸式顯示屏。