Michael Taylor•3 Mar 2014
NEWS
Carbon-Aluminium hybrids spread at Audi
Far-reaching weight reduction measures on the agenda at IngolstadtRadical new hybrid pieces of carbon-fibre and aluminium will soon be popping up throughout the next full generation of Audis.
Audi’s engineering boss, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, admitted the new technology, which will make its public debut in the Lamborghini Huracan at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, is headed across the top end of the Audi range.
“We will definitely see this technology in an Audi,” Dr Hackenberg told motoring.com.au during the technical presentation of the Huracan last week.
“This is a chassis development with a combination of both engineering teams and you will definitely see Audi use this technology.”
The first Audi to use it will be the next all-new R8. Initially due later this year, the R8 has been put back until 2015 because, sources insist, Dr Hackenberg wasn’t happy with its development compared to its sister car, the Huracan.
Unlike the outgoing R8 (which was longer and more than 100kg heavier than the Gallardo), the next generation will run on the same 2620mm wheelbase as the Huracan.
But the new technique, which mates carbon-fibre for high-stress, torsionally demanding areas with light-weight aluminium in a new bonded and riveted method, will find its way into other, more mainstream models as well.
Dr Hackenberg admitted both the Q7 (pictured) and the next A8 would be likely candidates to use the new system, but for detailed pieces rather than a full chassis development.
“You will see it in several other cars, but not quite like this [the Huracan],” Dr Hackenberg admitted.
“The piece in the Huracan is a huge part coming from one tool. If you make it out of steel or aluminium then it would have been a lot of parts to realise this stiffness.”
“It’s also possible to bring this technology to some areas of a car like the A8, yes.”
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Written byMichael Taylor
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