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BMW showcases new carbon fiber reinforced plastic production process with M3 CRT; process to produce components for i3 electric and i8 PHEV models

Green Car Congress

BMW M GmbH used the M Night Event in the lead-up to the Nürburgring 24-hour race to unveil the BMW M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology). The M3 CRT represents the worldwide debut of a new production process for carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components in the automotive industry. kilograms per horsepower (7.7

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Audi presents A6 L e-tron PHEV concept at Auto China in Beijing

Green Car Congress

The A6 L e-tron PHEV concept. In designing car bodies, developers will intelligently use new combinations of materials, including carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). Click to enlarge. Audi is presenting the Audi A6 L e-tron concept at Auto China 2012 in Beijing.

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Prius Prime PHEV pricing to start at $27,100; on sale later this year

Green Car Congress

Additional weight savings come from a Toyota-made lightweight carbon-fiber rear hatch. Innovative fastening methods, including laser screw welding and advanced adhesives, contribute to structural strength. The climate control system runs very quietly due to an electric compressor.

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Volvo Cars, Geely investing US$756M to develop Polestar electrified vehicles; Polestar 1 performance PHEV revealed

Green Car Congress

A carbon fiber body reduces bodyweight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the cars’ center of gravity. To reinforce its dynamic driving characteristics, Polestar 1 benefits from a range of new technologies. Additionally, Polestar 1 uses a double electric rear axle which enables torque vectoring.

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Lamborghini’s first plug-in hybrid super sports car demonstrator debuts at Paris

Green Car Congress

Automobili Lamborghini (part of the Volkswagen Group) unveiled its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology demonstrator, the Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4, at the 2014 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile. Asterion is based on a monocoque made entirely of carbon fiber.

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Volkswagen unveils Golf GTE Sport PHEV concept: 0-100 km/h in 4.3s and 118 mpg

Green Car Congress

Golf GTE Sport PHEV concept. Featuring a carbon fiber body and a three power unit, all-wheel drive system, the 295 kW (396 hp) Golf GTE Sport accelerates from 0 - 100 km/h in 4.3 Click to enlarge. seconds, has a top speed of up to 280 km/h (174 mph), yet offers fuel consumption of just 2.0

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US DOE awards more than $175M to 40 projects for advanced vehicle research and development

Green Car Congress

This project will develop a novel low cost route to carbon fiber using a lignin/PAN hybrid precursor and carbon fiber conversion technologies leading to high performance, low-cost carbon fiber. Plasan Carbon Composites. . $6,000,000. Zoltek Companies, Inc. DENSO International America, Inc.