by Although the aerodynamic drag coefficient (Cd) does not attract as much attention as engine power or driving range, it plays a key role in the efficiency of electric vehicles. A low Cd significantly increases the driving range and allows manufacturers to use smaller and lighter batteries. This is precisely why companies like Avatr, Lightyear, and Audi love to boast about their record-low figures. However, one of these manufacturers appears to be less than honest, as revealed by a famous Chinese blogger.
Qiuzhi Bei Le Ye is a popular auto expert in China with an audience of over a million subscribers, who personally owns an Avatr model. The manufacturer claims its electric car has a Cd of just 0.208, but Ye decided to verify this data. He brought his own car to a wind tunnel, where he conducted tests similar to those Avatr should have performed before publishing its figures. However, the results were unexpected – instead of the claimed 0.208, the measurements showed 0.281, which is only slightly better than the Tesla Model 3’s figures.
Significant Discrepancies Without Any Manipulation
There is no reason to doubt the reliability of the conducted tests. The car consistently showed a Cd above 0.28 at all speeds from 80 to 140 km/h. The testing took place at the reputable China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), which has been operating since 1985. Specialists adhered to the CSAE 146-2020 standards, so the methodology is beyond reproach. In fact, the real figure turned out to be 30% worse than the manufacturer’s official data.
As sources report, the blogger also stated that the laboratory did not provide an official report after the testing, which may indicate company interference. The video of the experiment was removed from the platform. Representatives of Avatr, in turn, deny the authenticity of the video materials and have announced a reward of 5 million yuan (about $695,000) for information about what they call “black PR.”
Test results
— Ray (@ray4tesla)
The blogger insists that Avatr should publish the original results of its tests and publicly demonstrate the achievements of the Model 12. This case has sparked a wave of discussion regarding the truthfulness of similar claims by other Chinese manufacturers, particularly Xpeng.
Despite the significant achievements of the Chinese auto industry in recent years, the sector is still going through a reputation-building phase, so some marketing claims require additional verification. As one commentator aptly noted: “Shocking, but not unexpected.” The industry is making great strides forward, but it still has a long way to go to reach the same level of trust as market veterans.
