The Unplugged Performance Front Lip Spoiler That’s true, but before and after tests in a controlled environment are the best way to understand the improvements that come with a new product. What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.The study looked specifically at the improvements in aerodynamic efficiency and downforce as a result of adding the Unplugged Performance front lip, rear wing, and lowering springs.Ĭritics will be quick to note that aerodynamic improvements in the confines of a wind tunnel do not directly translate to improvements in the real world, for a number of reasons. There have been aftermarket wheel covers and other similar products in the past, but I think Unplugged Performance is pushing the idea to a whole new level. It’s not exactly the first time we are seeing such an effort. Instead of focusing on making cars look better or have better track performance, some people are now looking at efficiency modifications. It’s kind of a brand new way to look at aftermarket modifications. They don’t have to deliver an automotive product that needs to be homologated in dozens of different markets. I anticipate that a lot of Tesla fans are going to be skeptical about a small tuner being able to deliver higher efficiency than Tesla, but you need to keep in mind that Unplugged is playing with a different set of rules than Tesla. You can read the full white paper for more details. They also argued that factoring cost per mile of electricity after factoring efficiency gains result in partially offsetting the cost of the upgrades. In much higher speeds, such as in Germany on the Autobahn, the efficiency gain is estimated to exceed 19% improvement at a top speed of 163mph.” When utilized on a Model 3 Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (EPA-5 system rated 325 miles of range) this added 43 miles of range at 70 miles per hour can have significant real-world impact for long-distance driving. “ Based on this model, we estimate that utilizing the front lip, rear wing, and lowering springs will produce 43 miles of additional range (13.33%) at a steady speed of 70 miles per hour, on top of the Model 3’s expected efficiency. If you have to look at it from a range perspective, UP tried to give an idea of what kind of impact it could have the white paper: The company released today an interesting white paper diving into how they arrived at that conclusion using the CFD simulations.Ĭombining all three mods together, the Model 3’s drag coefficient would be reduced from baseline by 0.049 (from 0.23 to 0.181) and total aerodynamic drag would be 21% lower – obviously much more significant than simply removing the mirrors. In order to achieve that, they hired an aerodynamic expert to 3D scan Model 3 and perform hundreds of CFD simulations to develop a new lip and spoiler for Tesla’s latest vehicle.Ĭombined with Unplugged’s lowering spring kit for Model 3, the company claims that it results in “ a substantial 21% total reduction in drag while improving high-speed stability, balancing everyday functionality and providing an enhanced sporty aesthetic.” The ultimate goal was to explore the possibility of developing aftermarket products that improve efficiency enough to compensate for their own cost over time. Though ideally, they are aiming for a balance of all three. In an interview with Electrek at Unplugged’s headquarters in Los Angeles last month, CEO Ben Schaffer said they wanted to try something new for Model 3 and actually develop products geared toward efficiency instead of performance and aesthetic. We reported on Unplugged Performance (UP) on several occasions before for their interesting Tesla modifications, but those were geared toward performance or aesthetics, as most vehicle tuners. That’s exactly what Tesla tuner Unplugged Performance set out to do and they claim to have the data to back it up. What if you could buy aftermarket parts that would improve the drag of your Tesla Model 3 and therefore its range and efficiency - resulting in the parts paying for themselves.
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