Ahead of the International Conference on Vehicles Aerodynamics 2016, the Institution spoke with Andreas Kremheller, a Senior Engineer in Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe. Andreas is a member of the organising committee for the International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics on 21-22 September 2016, and will co-chair the Aerodynamics by Design panel session on day one of the event.
Andreas Kremheller: Senior Engineer, Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics, Nissan Technical Centre Europe
Andreas Kremheller received two Masters degrees, one in Automotive Engineering Regensburg, Germany (2008) and one in Aerospace Engineering at The University Of Arizona, USA (2011). Andreas joined Nissan in 2011 and is responsible for the aerodynamic and aero-acoustic development of Nissan's vehicles in Europe, including managing of wind tunnel testing, CFD and cooling requirements. A highlight was the development of the New Nissan Qashqai.
Q: What first interested you in vehicle aerodynamics?
Andreas Kremheller (AK): I worked at BMW in Germany for four years as an Electrical Engineer and then completed a Masters of Science degree in Automotive Engineering in Germany. After that I moved to Tucson, Arizona in the USA and studied Aerospace Engineering, again for a Masters. The combination of automotive engineering and aerospace resulted in the desire to work as an aerodynamicist and to develop efficient vehicles.
My inspiration and motivation is to actively be involved in shaping an exciting product that thousands (and in this case millions) of people can enjoy driving on the road. Designing a shape or part of a vehicle that goes into production is one of the most rewarding experiences for an engineer.
Q: What are the main challenges for automotive aerodynamicists over the next ten to 15 years?
AK: One main challenge is to incorporate real road conditions into the development cycle and to optimise for individual customer requirements. Another is to design a low drag vehicle that is relatively simple but also looks exciting and fresh at a competitive price - this will always be a challenge.
Q: Tell us a little bit about the test and development tools you use at Nissan. How did you use these in the development of the Qashqai?
AK: We used CFD simulation from the early development stages with only concept geometry up until the final shape and the CAD was developed. Additionally, we used full scale clay models with modular setups to check different styling solutions in order to achieve and confirm the performance targets. The GIE S2A wind tunnel in France was used for the entire development phase.
Q: How important do you think the relationship is between designers and aerodynamicists in achieving aero performance targets, particularly in relation to low drag?
AK: A good relationship and sound understanding of both areas of the business is absolutely essential in order to deliver a successful project. Customers will only be willing to purchase a product if they like the design and are satisfied with its performance, and as such designers, stylists and aerodynamicists need to work very closely to deliver a product that delivers both.
I believe aerodynamicists can learn a lot from design in terms of perspectives, proportions and the details that make up a good design. In turn, designers can learn a lot from aerodynamicists in terms of fundamental design that contribute to low drag, but also the design features that can be tuned to promote optimised airflow.
Q: What are you looking forward to most at the International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics?
AK: The opportunity to meet new and old friends and colleagues from the aerodynamics community, to exchange knowledge and the latest information on the subject. I am also looking forward to the panel discussion with stylists and the audience that will spark some interesting discussions and bring the two worlds between aero and styling closer together.
Andreas Kremheller will be participating at the International Conference On Vehicle Aerodynamics taking place 21–22 September at the Coventry Transport Museum.
Meet over 100 industry professionals including:
FKFS, Porsche, Torotrak, CD-adapco, Aston Martin, SAIC, University of Brighton, Honda, Autoneum Management, TotalSim, MAGNA Steyr Engineering, Bentley Motors, Coventry University, Volvo, Chalmers University of Technology, Alfasoft, Bristol & Bath Science Park, Altair, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, WABCO Optiflow, University of Cambridge, ThermoAnalytics, Nissan, HORIBA MIRA, Loughborough University and many more...
For further information, please visit the International Conference on Vehicle Dynamics event page.