Motor Authority - blog Tag: Carbon Fiber

BMW's Megacity Vehicle, which will be launched under a sub-brand during the first half of the next decade, will employ a vast array of lightweight composite materials to enable its super-low emissions goals. To that end, BMW today announced a joint venture with carbon fiber and composites experts the SGL Group.

Both the technology and the materials developed by the SGL Group will feed into the Megacity Vehicle. Ultra light yet still structurally very strong materials will be key to meeting both environmental and safety goals for the car.

The Megacity Vehicle is expected to come under a BMW sub-brand, possibly the Isetta brand, with the...

BMW's Megacity Vehicle, which will be launched under a sub-brand during the first half of the next decade, will employ a vast array of lightweight composite materials to enable its super-low emissions goals. To that end, BMW today announced a joint venture with carbon fiber and composites experts the SGL Group. Both the technology and the materials developed by the SGL Group will feed into the Megacity Vehicle. Ultra light yet still structurally very strong materials will be key to meeting both environmental and safety goals for the car. The Megacity Vehicle is expected to come under a BMW sub-brand, possibly the Isetta brand, with the first car under the sub-brand arriving as early as 2012. Talk of collaboration with Toyota on the project, leveraging the iQ city car platform, has also emerged, which would help BMW meet the tight timeline. Project i is the over-arching project that will spawn the Megacity Vehicle, however, meaning that not all cars built under the BMW sub-brand will necessarily share the Megacity's super-high-tech goals. Some may be simpler, cheaper, and more readily available. The Megacity Vehicle is also likely to take several years more development, with the outside window of 2014 or 2015 being more likely for retail release. The Mini E electric vehicle prototype, for example, was the first vehicle to come out of the Project i works. Still, the joint venture with the SGL Group will help BMW reach the economies of scale necessary to produce carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) at volumes and prices realistic for mass production. BMW is, of course, no stranger to carbon fiber, having employed its use extensively in motorsports as well as the CSL versions of its M Division vehicles over the years. [BMW] Read More

Carbon-fiber is seen by many in the auto industry as one of the most effective ways of reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel economy and emissions levels, but the relative expense of the material means that it’s still reserved for only a handful of high-end production cars. BMW has effectively used carbon-fiber roofs for its M cars to help lower their center of gravity, and Nissan and General Motors have used the composite material to help save weight for the GT-R and ZR1 supercars.

For most automakers, mainstream carbon-fiber use is still several years away but a number of firms are spending up to help turn this trend around....

Carbon-fiber is seen by many in the auto industry as one of the most effective ways of reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel economy and emissions levels, but the relative expense of the material means that it’s still reserved for only a handful of high-end production cars. BMW has effectively used carbon-fiber roofs for its M cars to help lower their center of gravity, and Nissan and General Motors have used the composite material to help save weight for the GT-R and ZR1 supercars. For most automakers, mainstream carbon-fiber use is still several years away but a number of firms are spending up to help turn this trend around. Earlier this year we reported about several Japanese automakers investing in a new low-cost carbon-fiber material for use in mass-produced cars. Now, Lamborghini has officially unveiled the “Automobili Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory” (ACSL) with an event held at the University of Washington. The unveiling of the lab publicly marks the automaker’s commitment to investing in the future of carbon-fiber technologies by partnering with leaders in aerospace and composite material development, including the University of Washington and aerospace company Boeing. Lamborghini has made a substantial financial contribution to the ACSL with the goal of furthering the university’s long-time research in the aerospace industry. The end goal, Lamborghini is hoping, is to utilize the studies conducted through the ACSL to develop future vehicles with lighter, stronger and more versatile materials. For example, the lab will provide the setting for testing and characterization, manufacturing and machining of carbon-fiber materials. The ACSL has already contributed significantly to Lamborghini’s carbon-fiber production process. In fact, Lamborghini has collaborated with ACSL head Professor Paolo Feraboli on research projects since 2001. The benefits of carbon-fiber are derived from the fact that the material’s density is far lower than that of steel. Substituting steel with carbon-fiber reduces weight, which not only enhances the performance of the vehicle by increasing the power-to-weight ratio, but also improves fuel economy by reducing the overall mass. Carbon-fiber is also stiffer than other materials, thus creating better handling characteristics. In addition, carbon-fiber provides greater manufacturing versatility, decreases the time it takes to make parts and simplifies the structure of the components. Read More

In the tradition of the Hollywood weight loss diet, Audi has revealed how to chop almost 220-pounds from its A5 Coupe with its latest Aluminum Prototype. Based around the A5 Coupe, Audi engineers have swapped steel for advanced aluminium and carbon-fiber construction in the interest of fuel economy, emissions reduction and handling agility.

Considering the fact that cars have been getting heavier due to increased safety features and higher feature specs, only a few car companies have managed to reverse the trend in their own cars.

Taking an existing steel-bodied production car as its basis, the A5 project car clearly demonstrates the...

In the tradition of the Hollywood weight loss diet, Audi has revealed how to chop almost 220-pounds from its A5 Coupe with its latest Aluminum Prototype. Based around the A5 Coupe, Audi engineers have swapped steel for advanced aluminium and carbon-fiber construction in the interest of fuel economy, emissions reduction and handling agility. Considering the fact that cars have been getting heavier due to increased safety features and higher feature specs, only a few car companies have managed to reverse the trend in their own cars. Taking an existing steel-bodied production car as its basis, the A5 project car clearly demonstrates the benefits of the aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) concept. Use of the ASF principle reduces the weight of a car body by at least 40% compared with conventional steel construction, and this shows in a curb weight of 2,888-pounds for the aluminum A5 prototype, versus a total of 3,130-pounds for the equivalent steel-bodied series production model. The lighter weight means the A5 Coupe Aluminum Prototype powered by a four-cylinder engine offers the same performance of a V-6. The lightweight design of the test car not only enables a smaller engine to supplement a larger one with no impact on performance and gains in economy and emissions, but also has a knock-on effect on ancillaries such as the brakes and transmission, which can also be reduced in size and weight. It also benefits handling and dynamics thanks to the reduction in unsprung weight. Read More

There's no shortage of customized or modified Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, but few go as all-out toward pure, unadulterated speed as the Elite LMV/R. Comparing its creation to Lamborghini's Superleggera cars or Ferrari's Scuderia and Stradale offerings, the Elite LMV/R, based on Aston Martin's Vantage, promises real performance through extensive modification.

Named for Aston's history at Le Mans (the LMV/R stands for Le Mans Vintage Racer), the car is clearly aspiring toward streetable trackworthiness. The main change is a complete carbon fiber body kit, including front and rear bumper covers, canards, splitter, side... There's no shortage of customized or modified Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, but few go as all-out toward pure, unadulterated speed as the Elite LMV/R. Comparing its creation to Lamborghini's Superleggera cars or Ferrari's Scuderia and Stradale offerings, the Elite LMV/R, based on Aston Martin's Vantage, promises real performance through extensive modification. Named for Aston's history at Le Mans (the LMV/R stands for Le Mans Vintage Racer), the car is clearly aspiring toward streetable trackworthiness. The main change is a complete carbon fiber body kit, including front and rear bumper covers, canards, splitter, side skirts, 2in wider front and rear fenders, rear quarter panel extensions, trunk lid, rear wing and rear diffuser. That's a lot of carbon fiber - but it doesn't stop there. Inside the engine bay and cockpit there's a full carbon fiber appearance treatment as well. Alcantara upholstery gives a sporting appearance where carbon fiber isn't appropriate, and a serial numbered plaque marks each LMV/R as one of just 30 very special Aston Martins. Further performance enhancements are made with lowering springs, a big brake kit, revised exhaust system, and 20in wheels and tires to match the wider body kit. The LMV/R will be assembled in Florida at Elite's workshop, based on the 2010 Aston Martin Vantage. Pricing for the exclusive, hardcore Vantage starts at $173,000, though customization and additional options from Elite and Aston Martin can drive the package price higher. Cars can be purchased through Elite's exclusive distributor, Exotica Motorsports. Read More

Customized Bugatti Veyrons are almost as common as the cars themselves, which is to say not common at all. But this particular car, modified by Mansory, is less common than even most other custom Veyrons. In March, at the Geneva Motor Show, the modified Veyron was put on display for the first time and officials from Mansory let loose full details about the car, including its mammoth 1,109hp (827kW) power output. Today, we have a new mega-gallery of photos straight from the company that show off the car in every exquisite, carbon-weave detail.

Along with the huge power figure is an equally tall torque number: 967lb-ft (1,310Nm). That should... Customized Bugatti Veyrons are almost as common as the cars themselves, which is to say not common at all. But this particular car, modified by Mansory, is less common than even most other custom Veyrons. In March, at the Geneva Motor Show, the modified Veyron was put on display for the first time and officials from Mansory let loose full details about the car, including its mammoth 1,109hp (827kW) power output. Today, we have a new mega-gallery of photos straight from the company that show off the car in every exquisite, carbon-weave detail. Along with the huge power figure is an equally tall torque number: 967lb-ft (1,310Nm). That should be enough to erase a few tenths off the already-world-class mid-2 second 0-60mph (96km/h) time for the Veyron. The extra power comes by way of improved intake and exhaust systems plus attendant engine tuning. Eschewing the popular matte-color trend of late, the Mansory Vincero is pure gloss from stem to stern. Largely blacked out, but with a sprinkling of chrome accents in the grille and a dark chrome treatment along the side of the car across the front fenders and door panels, the Vincero certainly lives up to its name. LED accents in the headlights and fully custom forged wheels finish off the exterior treatment with attention to detail. Inside the car gets a typically Mansory two-tone black and white treatment, though the addition of a woven element makes for a unique touch. Ambient lighting and custom shift paddles on the steering wheel complete the package. An extra dose of naked carbon fiber across the front bonnet and rear engine cover, plus the rear fascia and diffuser gives the Vincero the look of the Sang Noir, though it is not the basis for this custom car. Only 15 of the Sang Noir special-editions were built, however, so it's enough that this car is styled to look somewhat alike. For those that would like to investigate the matter in person, or just happen to have several million unused dollars lying about, the car is on sale exclusively at Prestige Cars in the United Arab Emirates. Bring an extra $1 million in addition to the purchase price of your Veyron, though, because that's what the Vincero upgrades will cost you.Mansory Vincero custom Bugatti Veyron Read More

Seek out any modern supercar and chances are you'll see some carbon ceramic brake discs behind its wheels, often with the Brembo logo emblazoned on them. Now, Brembo is announcing a new partnership with SGL Group, a company specializing in carbon-fiber production, and together the two will jointly operate a new company to help develop carbon ceramic brakes for mass production.

Headquartered in Milan, the new company will work on carbon ceramic brakes exclusively for passenger and commercial vehicles, and will also be seeking a way to bring costs down so that carbon ceramic brakes might be featured in a much broader range of cars.

Brembo... Seek out any modern supercar and chances are you'll see some carbon ceramic brake discs behind its wheels, often with the Brembo logo emblazoned on them. Now, Brembo is announcing a new partnership with SGL Group, a company specializing in carbon-fiber production, and together the two will jointly operate a new company to help develop carbon ceramic brakes for mass production. Headquartered in Milan, the new company will work on carbon ceramic brakes exclusively for passenger and commercial vehicles, and will also be seeking a way to bring costs down so that carbon ceramic brakes might be featured in a much broader range of cars. Brembo and SGL Group eventually expect to sell around €70 million worth of carbon ceramic brakes per year, and the current customer base includes such notable sports car companies as Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Daimler, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche. But breaking into markets beyond these select high-end manufacturers is the key to growth for Brembo and SLG Group's new company. Bringing carbon ceramic brakes to the masses however, will be a long process as the current method of manufacturing the brakes requires several manual and semi-automated processes. Developing new products that can be built completely using automation is the key to expanding business, and by increasing volumes the costs associated with the high end brakes should inevitable come down. Read More