Video: Lotus, Ferrari, Tesla are using lightweight aluminum in their cars
As you can see in the video above, aluminum is the latest thing in sport car body frames. Ferrari is working with Alcoa on the aluminum "space frame" which weighs just 440 pounds, one third the weight of a steel frame. The way the frame is put together is also very important. Tesla worked with Lotus on a "bonded" aluminum frame that can easily be picked up with one hand. Don't miss the end of the video because I included an odd clip of Tesla showing their battery. Seems Tesla won't let you see inside of their battery because it's "proprietary technology."
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[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sai sankar 5:16PM (2/29/2008)
Landrover has been using aluminum for years.
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Joe 12:56PM (1/08/2008)
"I can easily pick it up with one hand" ... Assuming the bulk of the weight is still supported by something else.
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Mulad 1:43PM (1/08/2008)
Since "bonded" is in quotes up above, I'll mention that this simply means that the parts are glued together. Since glue bonds across an entire surface rather than just at points or edges like a rivet or weld, it can make for extremely strong connections between parts (provided you're using the right kind of glue, of course).
I actually found it a bit odd that Ferrari is still using welds and rivets with aluminum. Oh well, I'm no materials specialist, so maybe Ferrari knows something..
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MarkR 7:38PM (1/08/2008)
Cool! I wonder what the weight would be if the same frame was Carbon fiber?
But your right about the battery info, interesting.
So basically the Tesla is runs on a what? About 100,000-200,000 Rechargeable AA Lithium ion Batteries?
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rgseidl 8:00AM (1/09/2008)
The Japanese have been using spaceframes for donkey's years. Audi has been building all-aluminium car bodies (A2, A8) for many years as well now. The basic safety cell of many Japanese and European production models contains high-strength steels and aluminum. The body panels are almost always steel, because it is very difficult to achieve the required shutline tolerances in aluminium (a major reason for the A2's eventual cancellation).
This article present aluminum as if it were a new construction material for cars. Apparently, it is for low-volume manufacturers. Perhaps the same is true of the Big Three, though the Plymouth Prowler did feature an aluminum skin.
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rgseidl 8:01AM (1/09/2008)
The Japanese have been using spaceframes for donkey's years. Audi has been building all-aluminium car bodies (A2, A8) for many years as well now. The basic safety cell of many Japanese and European production models contains high-strength steels and aluminum. The body panels are almost always steel, because it is very difficult to achieve the required shutline tolerances in aluminium (a major reason for the A2's eventual cancellation).
This article present aluminum as if it were a new construction material for cars. Apparently, it is for low-volume manufacturers. Perhaps the same is true of the Big Three, though the Plymouth Prowler did feature an aluminum skin.
Reply
Lascelles Linton 10:37AM (1/09/2008)
Rgseidl, Actually the impression I was aiming for was sports cars rock :D Do you know of any other car makers that uses it? I would like to do a follow up.
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