Search Results

The Aero-stable Carbon Car (ASCC) was the first full vehicle structure project of the UK government DTI program ‘Foresight Vehicle’. The project investigated the limitations to maximising fuel economy in a lightweight car manufactured in carbon fibre composite (CFC). The EPSRC Integrated Manufacturing initiative / industry funded project FastFrames is developing design understanding and materials / manufacturing technology for lightweight vehicle structure and components. Current lightweight composite vehicles such as racing cars use a monocoque, stressed skin design approach for both weight and manufacturing cost reasons. For passenger cars with large ‘cut-out’ areas for access, the approach of a space-frame supporting fairing panels offers the opportunity for a more efficient structure. It also offers the potential to incorporate localised loads from suspension, engine and door mounting, seats and seat belts more easily than for a thin section stressed skin approach.