Audi Starting Apply Spring Suspension from Fiber Glass

Lightweight car is one of the main keys in the pursuit of fuel economy and cut emissions. Carmaker Audi announced to start taking advantage of the spring suspension of glass fiber, glass fiber aka-reinforced polymer (GFRP).

Spring-loaded glass fibers to be used for the first time in mid-size car models before the end of 2014 and above this size does have a thicker and larger than conventional steel springs, yet weighs 40% lighter.

Audi claims every spring only weigh about 1.6 kg, while the steel springs can reach 2.7 kg. This may not sound too much, but Audi says the spring will reduce total vehicle weight by approximately 4.4 pounds and half of the unsprung mass.

In addition to lighter, spring-loaded glass fiber is claimed to be tough because they do not corrode and are resistant to chemicals such as cleaning fluids wheel.

According to the head of Audi's Technical Development, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, "The springs GFRP save weight at important locations within a vehicle chassis system. We want to make the drive to be more accurate and improve comfort shocks."