weight savings
2014 Audi R8 May Get Turbo V8, Dual Clutch Transmission
Besides adopting a multi-material inner structure, which includes carbonfiber for parts such as the transmission tunnel, B-pillars and engine firewall, the new R8 will also feature a 450 horsepower 4.0-liter V8, while the optional V10 motor will be hiked in output to around 550 hp.
2014 Audi R8 To Get Carbon/Aluminum Hybrid Structure
As a result, combining both carbon fiber and aluminum seems like a good compromise, plus using both materials in the car’s construction will likely reduce the weight of the R8’s skeleton by some 45 lbs.
Ford CEO Mulally Fights for Underdog, Promotes Weight Savings
Finally, somebody in top brass gets it. When CEO Alan Mulally oversaw the development of the Explorer upon taking charge of Ford in 2006, he ordered engineers to cut weight and improve fuel economy, or kill the Explorer altogether. “Alan told us we need to truly reinvent the Explorer,” said product development chief Derrick Kuzak….
Next Ford F-150 Could Trade Steel Frame for Magnesium-Alloy
There’s a good deal of logic to this. Magnesium is currently one of the most abundant elements on earth and is 36 percent lighter than aluminum.
