HIMA‘s Luxeed announced today that its R7 Pure Electric Ultra version has achieved a drag coefficient of 0.217, setting a new world record for the lowest drag coefficient among production SUVs. This achievement has been officially certified by the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI).
The low drag coefficient is the result of more than 20 aerodynamic design features incorporated into the vehicle. The R7 adopts a coupe-like SUV silhouette with a fastback design and features an Active Grille Shutter (AGS) system that automatically adjusts according to vehicle speed and cooling requirements, reducing wind resistance during high-speed travel.
Additional aerodynamic enhancements include 3D curved front wheel wind deflectors, front bumper air curtains, flush door handles, frameless exterior rearview mirrors, low-drag wheels, and a streamlined ducktail spoiler. The engineering team also optimized areas, including the front lip and air curtain channels, to further improve airflow management.
Beyond drag coefficient testing, CAERI also evaluated the vehicle’s rolling resistance, which includes drivetrain resistance and tire rolling resistance. These factors, combined with aerodynamic drag, constitute the total driving resistance and provide a more accurate picture of real-world energy consumption.
The test results indicate that the Luxeed R7 Pure Electric version achieves energy consumption figures 3.44% lower than the industry average, demonstrating tangible efficiency benefits from its aerodynamic design.
Drag coefficient is a critical metric in evaluating a vehicle’s aerodynamic performance, directly impacting energy consumption, high-speed stability, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels. While the world’s lowest drag coefficient production vehicles are typically sedans—with the Dongfeng Forthing Xinghai S7 leading at 0.191 Cd, followed by the Arcfox Alpha S5 at 0.1925 Cd, Aito S9 at 0.193 Cd, and Xiaomi SU7 at 0.195 Cd—achieving a 0.217 Cd figure in an SUV represents an engineering achievement given the inherent aerodynamic challenges of taller vehicle bodies.
Xiaomi’s SUV, the YU7 has a drag coefficient of 0.245 Cd.
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