These streamliners are the world’s most aerodynamic cars

In 1980, Volkswagen built the ARVW concept car, the most aerodynamic vehicle it has ever created. It achieved a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.15. By contrast, most road cars have a Cd of between 0.3-0.4.

The ARVW was able to reach 225mph (362km/h) at the Nardo high speed bowl.

The Model 3 (and now Model Y) has a Cd of 0.23, but only when fitted with the aero wheel covers.

When a wheel rotates, it disturbs the air a lot, and that causes aerodynamic drag. That’s why electric cars often have wheel faces that are as close to being a solid disc as possible, while still allowing the brakes to cool.

The Porsche Taycan 4S (pictured) and Taycan Turbo have a Cd of 0.22 when fitted with these wheels.

In 2013, Mercedes-Benz tweaked the shape of its CLA 180 BlueEfficiency diesel to generate a Cd of 0.22.

Four years later, BMW managed the same Cd of 0.22 with its 520d EfficientDynamics diesel.

In 1996, GM’s EV1 electric car had a Cd of 0.19. Sadly, almost all of these cars ended up in the crusher.