Loughborough University Automotive Wind Tunnel
Loughborough UniversityLoughborough
The Automotive wind tunnel at Loughborough University supports experimental automotive aerodynamics using force balance measurements and tomographic PIV. NWTF identifies it as part of the vehicle aerodynamics research group and states that it is available to industry and academic researchers. The official profile publishes test-section dimensions, flow and model-support limits. The NWTF contact route is an enquiry route rather than confirmation of a booking or experiment’s suitability.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
- Facility and location
- NWTF identifies the Automotive wind tunnel at Loughborough University and gives its location as Loughborough.
- Research context
- The tunnel forms part of the vehicle aerodynamics research group, combining computational fluid dynamics and experimental expertise for automotive aerodynamics.
- Published users
- NWTF states that the Automotive wind tunnel is available to industry and academic researchers.
Testing capabilities
Experimental automotive aerodynamics
The official NWTF profile identifies force balance measurements and tomographic PIV as experimental techniques available at the Automotive wind tunnel. It places this capability within the vehicle aerodynamics research group’s work on automotive aerodynamics.
Equipment and published limits
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Test Section 1 dimensions | 1.92 m (W) × 1.32 m (H) × 3.6 m (L) | Dimensions published for Test Section 1. Confirm the proposed model and support arrangement. |
| Tunnel designation | Open circuit, closed throat | Designation stated on the official NWTF facility profile. |
| Contraction ratio | 7.4:1 | The profile displays this ratio beneath “Test Section 2 (Return) size”. It does not give return-section dimensions. |
| Maximum flow speed | 40 m/s (90 mph) | Published maximum flow speed. Confirm the conditions needed for the proposed experiment. |
| Turbulence intensity | 0.15% | Published figure. The profile does not specify its operating or measurement conditions. |
| Model support | 6-component, underfloor, virtual-centre balance | Published model-support arrangement. Confirm model and balance compatibility. |
| Maximum model weight | 30 kg | Published maximum model weight. Confirm the applicable support and loading conditions. |
Access and contact
NWTF states that the Loughborough Automotive wind tunnel is available to industry and academic researchers. The facility profile links to the NWTF contact page, which offers a facilities enquiry form and publishes admin@nwtf.ac.uk. This is the NWTF information route. It does not confirm current capacity, a booking, rates, lead time or suitability for a particular model.
Facility contact
- Address
- Loughborough
- Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
What to confirm with the facility
- NWTF publishes 30 kg as the maximum model weight. Confirm model dimensions, support compatibility and the required balance arrangement for the proposed experiment.
- The profile publishes a maximum flow speed and a turbulence-intensity figure, but does not specify operating or measurement conditions for the 0.15% figure. Confirm the required flow and measurement conditions directly.
- Confirm current availability, booking terms, rates, lead time, required support and suitability directly with the facility before arranging work.
Before requesting a test
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Related testing facilities
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Further reading
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Sources and review
Arc directly retrieved the official NWTF Automotive profile and contact page on 2026-09-30. The facility profile supports Loughborough University identity, site-specific experimental capabilities and published limits. The contact page provides an authoritative enquiry route. Publisher HTML metadata dates the Automotive page to 20 May 2021 with modification on 4 August 2026, and the contact page to 1 March 2015 with modification on 20 November 2024. Neither inspected page presents a visible body dateline. These metadata dates do not independently verify factual accuracy. Confirm the proposed experiment, current availability and commercial arrangements directly. No accreditation scope is inferred.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
Automotive | National Wind Tunnel Facility
The official NWTF profile identifies Loughborough University’s Automotive wind tunnel, force balance measurements, tomographic PIV, published tunnel limits and availability to industry and academic researchers. Its HTML metadata states publication on 20 May 2021 and modification on 4 August 2026. These are publisher metadata dates, with no visible body dateline, and do not independently verify factual accuracy. No accreditation scope was verified.
Contact | National Wind Tunnel Facility
The NWTF contact page provides a facilities enquiry form and admin@nwtf.ac.uk. These are network information routes. Its Imperial College London address is the NWTF contact address and is not used as the wind tunnel’s address. HTML metadata states publication on 1 March 2015 and modification on 20 November 2024. These are publisher metadata dates, with no visible body dateline, and do not independently verify factual accuracy.