Skip to main content

Here comes more carbon fiber: BMW develops quick, relatively inexpensive CF production process

 BMW i8 Concept

In the grand scheme of things, carbon fiber has kind of been like hydrogen. It appears to be a logical building block of the automotive future but remains at the moment just out of reach for mass-produced vehicles.

BMW might have cracked that problem, though. The German automaker has put over 10 years into research and development of carbon fiber that is not only strong and lightweight but also quick enough to produce to make it a viable material from which production cars could be built.

Just a few years ago, BMW began adding carbon fiber roofs to some of its M3 sports sedans and coupes. Since then, its carbon fiber production processes have improved significantly.

Speaking with Autocar, board member of the BMW Group Harald Krueger said, “Compared with initial industrial production of carbon-fiber M3 roofs, we have succeeded in lowering manufacturing costs for carbon-fiber body components by as much as 50 percent.”

BMW has taken what it’s learned and is putting it to good use. The upcoming BMW i3 EV’s body structure will be composed nearly entirely of carbon fiber. “In the BMW i3, we were able to reduce production cycle times for carbon-fiber body components by a further 30 per cent,” Krurger added.

What are the leaps BMW has made in carbon fiber construction? Notably, engineers have worked out a new quick bonding techniques, joining together carbon fiber components quickly and reliably.

We’ve long wagered that future fuel-efficient cars would have to rely on lightweight carbon fiber. We just imagined that rather than reducing costs at the production point, automakers would simply have to charge more at the dealer. We’re glad we were wrong.

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more