When considering skills related to energy savings and environmental protection in cars, the majority of individuals quickly associate them with new energy, while only a handful consider the significance of lightweight technology.
The concept of automotive lightweighting initially emerged from motorsports, where a lighter vehicle translates to better handling, higher acceleration with the same power output, and shorter start-up and braking distances.
To achieve weight reduction while maintaining sufficient strength and safety, racing cars employ various lightweight measures, such as the use of strong yet lightweight materials like magnesium-aluminum alloys, ceramics, fiberglass, and carbon fiber composites.
Despite their high strength and lightweight, these materials share a common trait: high cost.
However, their widespread use in racing cars, coupled with increased production quantities, has contributed to cost reduction, making their integration into general production cars feasible.
While lightweight technology may seem inconspicuous to the public, automakers invest significant manpower and resources, yielding considerable results.
For sports cars, speed is paramount, making power performance a crucial aspect.
While most manufacturers focus on engine development to increase horsepower, Lotus takes a unique approach. Lotus prioritizes weight reduction for performance, evident in models like the Elise and Exige.
Both cars share the same platform, with the Exige tailored for GT3 racing. Their lightweight strategies encompass three main areas:
1. A body made of composite materials replaces the traditional sheet steel body.
2. A one-off extruded aluminum chassis, weighing 65 kg, offers exceptional torsional stiffness, reducing weight and increasing structural strength compared to conventional welded chassis.
3. Streamlined interiors, or minimal interiors altogether, with only essential displays for driving, air conditioning, and audio on the dashboard, a hard plastic center console, and an aluminum chassis frame for the floor.
Despite Lotus's unique focus, other supercar manufacturers, such as Lamborghini, also prioritize lightweight, using carbon fiber extensively in their models since 2010.
Following racing cars and supercars, lightweight technology is gradually making its way into general internal combustion engine cars due to lower costs. In these vehicles, lightweight aims to enhance fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions.
The scope of lightweight technology extends beyond these examples, encompassing rational structural design and the use of lightweight materials in the engine, transmission, suspension, body, and other accessories.
Whether enhancing acceleration, improving vehicle handling stability, reducing braking distances for enhanced safety, boosting fuel economy, or increasing electric vehicle range, lightweight technology demonstrates its strong potential.
In an era facing obstacles to the widespread adoption of new energy vehicles, the value of lightweight technology deserves greater attention.
