Alternative Energy: As the market steadily shifts towards hybrid vehicles, alternative energy and fuel efficient vehicle concept becomes more popular among vehicle manufacturers, and also one of the crucial element to consider Nextgen automobile.

Blue-Chip car makers like BMW, Audi and Lexus are already on ground, to manufacture energy efficient vehicles and applying the concepts in high end models.

For instance, hybrid driven engines are more renowned models at city car segment and also among consumers.

NextGen Auto industry: Have you ever reckon, how next generation automobile would be? We know that, auto industry is growing tremendously and surpass due to its global demand and mammoth consumer market. After 80s, it becomes new era for auto world, and most auto makers emerge incredible changes to leverage market trend and consumer needs.

When considering aesthetic design, programmatic engine, technical features and noteworthy models, most auto players has come up with revolutionary changes with unbelievable technical concepts.

Carbon Fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP): Most auto makers are curious to concentrate on few key segments at manufacturing process, Like less weight, fuel efficiency, environment friendly, robust , programmatic engine, low emission and niche design concepts.

To accomplish the mission, Auto makers integrate very latest ancillary tools, equipment’s and techniques at every model they manufacture.

While considering latest concepts and techniques, vehicle makers work very closely with one of the most renowned material called – Carbon Fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).

At alternative energy segment, most auto makers target applications for carbon fiber composites driven products. I can positively say, this will take auto industry  to new era.

Properties of CFRP:Considering cost factors, carbon fibers are comparatively very expensive due to its manufacturing nature while compare with conventional plastic fibers or glass fibers. But, the properties and quality of carbon fiber keeps  the material unique and stands out from other equaling materials.

In generally, carbon fibers has high flexibility, very high tensile strength, amazingly low weight while comparing conventional prototypes, high temperature tolerance and low thermal expansion.

Due to this distinctive qualities and properties carbon fibers widely used at various industries like, high end sports car (Like F1 cars), aerospace, defense/military engineering, motor sports, sports gears  and specialty products in civil engineering.

Where it helps currently?

Race cars (F1 series) and high-end vehicles have been using CFRP materials for decades and planning to increase the carbon fiber content in their construction and manufacturing process to preserve superior quality and enhancement.

The light weight prototype, immensely support the cars for its amazing speed and aerodynamic style. BMW has been using carbon fibers based composites for years in vehicles. BMW-M3 GTS (2011-12) model called M3-CRT (Carbon Racing Technology). The M-series unique body pieces are all crafted from carbon fiber reinforced polymer.

C-fiber reduces lot of curb and vehicle weight depends on the level CFRP applied. For example, The M3 CSL series roof has constructed from CFRP, and this alone reduces the curb weight of the car by 7 kg (15 lbs). It lowers the center of gravity of the car and decreases body flex. This provides terrific driving dynamics.

Also, the M3 series power output has increased tremendously and is achieved through a high flow carbon fiber air intake process.

The CSL has various aesthetic modifications like center console, door panels and trim, and headliner are all formed from carbon fiber.

The aerodynamic lightweight body style, front splitters provides improved down force at high speed.

The interesting factor is, most famous car makers are very much curious to apply CFRP based materials and based applications at manufacturing process, for city car segments down the line. This will surely will bring intensive drive experience and can change the vehicle manufacturing process as what we follow currently.

Envision unlimited: As being said, alternative energy driven vehicles are more environment friendly and fuel efficient. Tesla Motors, world leader in electric car segment, will continues to develop all-electric Models will shed the CFRP body panels in favor of metal to utilize the uniqueness and less weigh property.

Lamborghini, the sports car makers use CFRP widely in many models which reduces 31% of total weight including body, transmission tunnel, wheel housings, floor  and bumper section of the chassis. This provides the drivers super handling experience and keeps the car weight very less.

Lexus-LFA premium sports car model has been designed with a carbon fiber cabin, which reduce lot of weighs while we compare aluminum cabin, and still can retains the same rigidity, per companies reports. The LFA model chassis structure alone represents 65% of CFRP material.

Also, Alternative energy vehicle manufacturer Velozzi and Bayer Material Science (One of the world’s largest producers of polymers and high-performance plastics) announced that, they would utilize the carbon based composite parts, and the vehicles manufactured under these parts are expected to achieve 100 miles per gallon down the line.

The base plan to make auto body and interior components using epoxy based carbon fibers to accomplish the target as expected.

Over a period, this practice will spread across to city and commercial car segment by most manufactures, which will surely change our vehicle world.

Besides auto, many other industries widely applying carbon fiber based composites for different applications due to the materials high performance, strength and quality to the structure.

Sports:

• Tennis rackets
• Skiing gears & equipment
• High end motor cycle manufacturing for structural body
• Specialty sports Bicycles for very light weight design

Engineering:

• Pressure vessels and gas tank manufacturing process to contain natural gas
• Aerospace
• Automotive and auto ancillary products
• For civil engineering, new generation highway bridge applications
• Resin and epoxy industry for infusion processes