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Greenlings: How does weight affect a vehicle's efficiency?

Over the last few decades, the average weight of a vehicle sold in the U.S. climbed steadily after we got over the oil embargoes of the 1970s. Today, though, auto companies are putting a lot of effort into reducing weight – Lotus set up an entire lightweight structures division, BMW is investing millions into carbon fiber and Jaguar loves aluminum – because every ounce you take out of a car improves the vehicle's performance and fuel economy. Options for weight savings that automakers are investigating include installing things ... Read more →

Megacity will be BMW's first to use carbon fiber "on a large scale" Sebastian Blanco

The idea that BMW's line of electric vehicles will cater to the same premium buyers as the company's other vehicles seems more assured with today's announcement that it has established a joint venture ...

Audi shows off lightweight aluminum/carbon fiber A5 prototype Sam Abuelsamid

As much as we like the Audi A5 with it's lovely lines and proportions and good driving dynamics, we have to admit that it's a bit porky. The lightest version currently available in the U.S. market ...

What are the promises and pitfalls of carbon fiber? Jeremy Korzeniewski

For the last century or so, cars and trucks have predominantly been formed from one material in particular: steel. It's not hard to see why – steel is relatively inexpensive, highly abundant ...

Video: KTM X-Bow gets track tested Domenick Yoney

We've been talking about the KTM X-Bow for over a year now and while it's nice to read about a car's innovative lightweight construction and its many event appearances, there's nothing like an in-car ...

The next material to be recycled: carbon fiber? 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

Carbon fiber holds a huge potential in the automotive industry. Compared to both steel and aluminum - currently the most often used metals in our cars and trucks - carbon fiber is both lighter and stronger. What's more, the material can be woven in certain ways to promote strength in some areas and ...

Enter the carbon fiber Axon hatchback, Progressive Automotive X-Prize competitor 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

Last year at the Sexy Green Car Show, Axon Automotive introduced the world to their lightweight version of that iconic classic, the Caterham 7, which they dubbed the Eco-M. They said they'd return in 2008 with a more practical design and return they have with a new vehicle which they lovingly refer ...

VIDEO: Solar speedboat makes waves 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

There's nothing quite like the sensation of shooting along a canal in a speed boat with no noisy engine to interfere with the sounds of the wind, water and wail of seagulls. That's what this video demonstrates (if you replace that wind, water and wail with Euro electro-pop) as we follow the Czeers ...

Carbon fiber costs may soon be slashed 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

As automakers scramble to find ways to reduce the fuel consumption of vehicles, mass reduction is one of the main target areas. Over the last three decades, cars and trucks have gotten substantially heavier for a variety of reasons. Ever-increasing safety and emissions regulations have meant the ...

High technology provides solutions for paraplegics 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

Click on the image for more shots of the Future Chair wheelchairs While many engineers are looking towards carbon fiber as a way to lighten up our automobiles, with very good reason, others are using the lightweight composite material in human-powered vehicles, like bicycles and... wheelchairs. Not ...

Toray to become first carbon fiber auto part maker 2 years ago on Autoblog Green

Japan's Toray Industries Inc says it will be the first company to mass produce carbon fiber auto parts. Toray will invest 20 billion yen ($170 million) into new carbon fiber car parts, targeting chassis and car bodies. Toray will build a research center next year and start auto parts production in ...

Video: RMI's Hypercar a 100+ mpg SUV featuring Amory Lovins 2 years ago on Autoblog Green

The video above is all about the Rocky Mountain Institute's Hypercar broadcast as part of the Science Channel's Eco-tech series. The Hypercar is a 100 MPG SUV concept that achieves such high a MPG number by reducing waste. RMI designed the SUV to be built with light carbon fiber for example. Amory ...

Mercedes adds new high-end model to their bike line 2 years ago on Autoblog Green

Click the photo for high res images of the Mercedes Race Bike Atmospheric carbon may be bad for us and the planet, but that doesn't mean the element is totally evil. When incorporated into other materials carbon can add a tremendous amount of strength with minimal weight. Carbon (along with smaller ...

How to make bicycles even greener: use bamboo frames! 2 years ago on Autoblog Green

It may surprise some people that there are so many uses for bamboo. Many structural devices can be made from the material. Including bicycles. Yes, that's right! Not only is bamboo sufficiently stiff, it also is quite light, making it a great material for the construction of bike frames. The stalks ...

Tesla Motors bodyman explains carbon fiber 2 years ago on Autoblog Green

Barrie Dickinson is director of body engineering at Tesla Motors. In his latest blog posted yesterday, Dickinson explains the process of manufacturing the roadster's carbon fiber body. Tesla chose carbon fiber for its strength and light mass. However, the material is expensive to produce. I had ...


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