Lambo hopes to lead with carbon fibre
Automobili Lamborghini has opened a new Advanced Composites Research Centre at its headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese.
The centre is for research on innovative design and production methods for carbon-fibre elements, and Lamborghini says both the ACRC and an all-new 'breakthrough' production process for extremely complex carbon-fibre structures were developed at the same time.
"The consistent development of carbon-fibre technology is a key element of ourstrategy," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of the company.
New facility employs 30 staff
"The most important parameter for super sportscars is, now as in the future, the weight-to-power ratio; therefore, as there is a limit to power increase due toemission regulations, we must work on weight reduction. Extensive use of carbon-fibre, even at structural level, allows Lamborghini to be at the forefront of development techniques. The real difference is in the correct use of technologies and materials to satisfy technical and financial concerns. This is what the Centre is all about."
The Superleggera uses lots of carbon
According to the company, the current Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera offers a perfect example of what the quest for lightness is all about.
Compared with the already lean Gallardo LP 560-4, its weight has been trimmed by a further 70 kilograms to 1340kgs, and a major contributing factor is use of exterior and interior components made from carbon-fibre.
Interestingly, the first carbon-fibre based chassis prototype was built for the Countach as far back as 1983. Series production parts first appeared in 1985, and the current Lamborghini Murciélago has 93 kilograms of structural carbon-fibre materials in its bodyshell.
The new Lamborghini ACRC comprises two facilities covering an area of more than 2,600 square meters. A team of 30 engineers and technicians build prototypes and the associated tools, production tools, and production technologies.
Stephan Winkelmann announced the new development at the official opening of Lambo's glitzy new dealership in Milan (see below).