Audi focuses on weight reduction; lab results deemed successful
A light weight car accelerates quicker, goes faster and stops shorter. Audi's realized that and hopes to implement technology that will drastically pull down weight of its future cars. The subject of weight is taken to highest possible level of concern when dealing with electric and hybrid cars. Electric cars are more weight sensitive as technology is still being developed to extract more power from a smaller battery.
Audi has already made a few breakthroughs. A S5 model built using new technology at Audi's laboratory shows a weight difference of 400 kilograms compared to the standard model. The lab S5 uses a 230 hp 4-cylinder engine and tests have shown it would clock the Nurburgring 8 seconds quicker than the standard model with a 354hp V8 engine.
However the cost involved in developing such light-weight technology is obscenely high and would take a while before implementation comes about in a production line.
The lab S5 is made out of hybrid steel and aluminum body built over a spaceframe. If Audi can show that the new material can manufacture a light weight, safe, and affordability car, then this would be a significant leap in the auto world.
Source: Autoblog
