Chinese Chery takes inspiration from tuna to break records

Chery has unveiled a new concept that aims to be the most aerodynamic car in the world, inspired by the lines of the…red tuna.

Yes, you read that correctly. An electric vehicle inspired by the sleek and hydrodynamic lines of the tuna. Doesn’t it stand out? We agree. The design of this car, however, largely relied on artificial intelligence to dictate its lines.

Still unknown in France, Chery Automotive is one of the top 10 largest automakers in China, specialized in mid to high-end battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV). Beyond its presence in its homeland China, Chery vehicles remain among the most exported, particularly to small foreign markets such as Brazil, Iran, North Africa, Pakistan, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

During its media day last month, Chery announced its intention to introduce 39 new vehicles over the next two years, including 15 BEVs and 24 hybrids. The manufacturer also chose to showcase some innovations incorporated into these upcoming electric vehicles, in the form of a concept car claiming the title of “the most aerodynamic in the world.”

The most aerodynamic car in the world is just a concept

Returning to our auto-fish. Chery Automotive explains that its team was inspired by the tuna, one of the most hydrodynamic and powerful fish in the sea. The company also indicated that the design of the electric vehicle used AI simulation techniques that reviewed over 2,000 different optimization cases to achieve its potentially record-breaking drag coefficient.

Chery claims that its concept achieved a wind resistance coefficient of 0.168 during official tests in August. Why not? They wouldn’t be the first to reach such a threshold with a prototype free of production constraints. Let’s remember Lightyear 0, which achieved a drag coefficient of 0.175, but its production consisted of about two vehicles before the startup went bankrupt.

Since it is a concept and not a production vehicle, the official title of the most aerodynamic car in the world remains with the GM EV1, which achieved a Cx of 0.19 in the late 1990s.