As reported by Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. announces a new Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) at its headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese. The center carries out research on innovative design and production methods for carbon-fiber elements. Both the ACRC and an all-new, highly efficient production process for extremely complex carbon-fiber structures were developed at the same time. The process is secured through an array of patents and constitutes a breakthrough into the next generation of carbon-fiber components.
Carbon-fiber technology is crucial to the future
“The consistent development of carbon-fiber technology is a key element of our strategy,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. “The most important parameter for super sportscars is, now as in the future, the weight-to-power ratio; therefore, as there is a limit to power increase due to emission regulations, we must work on weight reduction. Extensive use of carbon fiber, even at structural level, allows Lamborghini to be at the forefront of development techniques. The real difference is in the correct use of technologies and materials to satisfy technical and financial concerns. This is what the Center is all about.”
Key technology for super sports cars
Carbon composite materials are crucial to tomorrow’s automotive engineering, especially for high-performance sports cars. These materials are made from carbon-fiber reinforced polymers and combine the lowest possible weight with excellent mechanical properties. Cars become lighter, thus improving fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The decisive factor for any sportscar is improving its power-to-weight ratio and thus its performance. A super sportscar built using composite materials in carbon fiber has improved acceleration and braking as well as superior handling.
Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera: lightweight engineering champion thanks to carbon fiber
The current Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera offers a perfect example: compared with the already extremely lean Gallardo LP 560-4, its weight has been trimmed by a further 70 kilograms. One major contributing factor is use of exterior and interior components made from carbon fiber. The super sportscar from Sant’Agata Bolognese weighs in at no more than 1340 kilograms – the new benchmark for the exclusive market segment occupied by Lamborghini.
Over thirty years of experience at Lamborghini
Lamborghini has many years’ experience in composite elements. The first carbon-fiber based chassis prototype was built for the Countach as far back as 1983. Series production parts first appeared in 1985. The current Lamborghini Murciélago is built largely of carbon fiber, with 93 kilograms of structural carbon-fiber materials in its bodyshell. The Gallardo Spyder’s engine cover is the largest component ever produced in the automotive world with RTM technology and a class-A surface optimum finish.
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. announces a new Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) at its headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese. The center carries out research on innovative design and production methods for carbon-fiber elements. Both the ACRC and an all-new, highly efficient production process for extremely complex carbon-fiber structures were developed at the same time. The process is secured through an array of patents and constitutes a breakthrough into the next generation of carbon-fiber components.
Carbon-fiber technology is crucial to the future
“The consistent development of carbon-fiber technology is a key element of our strategy,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. “The most important parameter for super sportscars is, now as in the future, the weight-to-power ratio; therefore, as there is a limit to power increase due to emission regulations, we must work on weight reduction. Extensive use of carbon fiber, even at structural level, allows Lamborghini to be at the forefront of development techniques. The real difference is in the correct use of technologies and materials to satisfy technical and financial concerns. This is what the Center is all about.”
 |
| Photo: Lamborghini |
Key technology for super sports cars
Carbon composite materials are crucial to tomorrow’s automotive engineering, especially for high-performance sports cars. These materials are made from carbon-fiber reinforced polymers and combine the lowest possible weight with excellent mechanical properties. Cars become lighter, thus improving fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The decisive factor for any sportscar is improving its power-to-weight ratio and thus its performance. A super sportscar built using composite materials in carbon fiber has improved acceleration and braking as well as superior handling.
Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera: lightweight engineering champion thanks to carbon fiber
The current Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera offers a perfect example: compared with the already extremely lean Gallardo LP 560-4, its weight has been trimmed by a further 70 kilograms. One major contributing factor is use of exterior and interior components made from carbon fiber. The super sportscar from Sant’Agata Bolognese weighs in at no more than 1340 kilograms – the new benchmark for the exclusive market segment occupied by Lamborghini.
Over thirty years of experience at Lamborghini
Lamborghini has many years’ experience in composite elements. The first carbon-fiber based chassis prototype was built for the Countach as far back as 1983. Series production parts first appeared in 1985. The current Lamborghini Murciélago is built largely of carbon fiber, with 93 kilograms of structural carbon-fiber materials in its bodyshell. The Gallardo Spyder’s engine cover is the largest component ever produced in the automotive world with RTM technology and a class-A surface optimum finish.