Lamborghini has been in Paris this week to showcase its
leading expertise in the development and application of
carbon-fibre technology (CFRP) at the world’s
pre-eminent trade show in this field of technology.
Lamborghini was the "honoured guest" of the JEC
Composite Show, where its Director of Research and
Development Maurizio Reggiani holds an opening address.
Lamborghini was present on the show with an exclusive
booth displaying the latest composite material
technologies. Furthermore, the unique Lamborghini
Reventón, one of the most extreme super sports cars of
Sant’Agata Bolognese was in exposition during the show.
With more than 1,000 participating companies from all
areas of the composite materials industry, the JEC
Composite Show offers a global platform for innovation.
Forums taking place around the exhibition will host
discussions on the latest processes and findings within
this increasingly important field of technology.
Carbon-fibre reinforced composite materials are becoming
key factor for the future within the high-performance
automobile sector. With their extremely high stiffness
combined with minimal weight, they facilitate
high-precision lightweight design and construction. The
resulting improvement in power-to-weight ratio delivers
increased driving dynamics while considerably reducing
fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the
utilization of composite materials enables new solutions
in the construction of components and, when used as a
visual material, offers an extremely individual hi-tech
aesthetic.
Automobili Lamborghini first gained experience in the
application of carbon-fibre composite materials back in
the 1980s with the legendary Countach. Nowadays, the
flagship model Murciélago makes extensive use of CFRP in
its bodyshell structure. The entire bodyshell structure
of the Murciélago weighs only 303 kilograms. A further
example is the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera.
Primarily through the increased application of carbon-fibre,
its weight compared with the base model has been reduced
by around 70 kilograms. The outcome is improved
performance with reduced fuel consumption.
Lamborghini’s carbon-fiber strategy is further proven by
its foundation of the “Automobili Lamborghini Advanced
Composite Structures Laboratory” (ACSL) at the
University of Washington in Seattle, USA. Lamborghini
provides support to the facility and its long-term,
co-operative research work in the fields of aeronautics
and astronautics, together with the composite materials’
application within the automotive sector.
Alongside the University
of Washington, aircraft company Boeing is also among
Lamborghini’s partners. The aircraft manufacturer
commands enormous expertise in the field of composite
materials. With the new Type 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has
developed the world’s first commercial aircraft by
utilizing more than 50 percent of carbon-fibre. Thanks
to its superior characteristics, it consumes around 20
percent less fuel than a conventional aeroplane. The
first milestone on this route is the current Lamborghini
Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera. The technical
developments on this vehicle result in a CO2 reduction
of 20.5 percent compared with its predecessor.
