S3 Elise unveiling in March?

[J-Man]

Done a wee bit homework! Carbon fibre is about 1/3 of the weight of glass fibre. The standard S2 front clam weighs in at 15kg, and CF version at 4.95kg. So there would be the potential to make a significant weight saving, though I can only guess that this could be in the region of perhaps 30 - 50kg in total. The relative densities are given here, but that for GF especially varies according to the ratio of resin/GF, fibre size, and manufacturing process.

Density (g.cm-3)
Steel 7.8
Fibreglass 5.5
Titanium 4.5
Aluminium 2.8
Glass 2.6
High Strength CFRP 1.6

CF technology has advanced a lot in the last 10 years, and with more widespread use, material and manufacturing costs have come down. There would also be a potential economy of scale in view of the other CF components that Lotus are manufacturing.

I would imagine that they could go for a compromise solution, introducing some more CF components, but keeping GF for others. Would be interesting to compare the kerb weight of the Scura to a conventional model.

Perhaps there is a possibility of using a lighter weight GF composite or some kind of hybrid material, but I am not sure who else is developing these kind of materials?

Downside undoubtedly would be with impact damage and cost of replacement as previously noted, but not many on here seem to see the current cost of clam replacement as a deterrent to ownership. Biggest problem is likely to be in consistently achieving a durable and long lasting surface finish.

It will be interesting to see which chassis they go with & the overall dimensions of the car.

For the moment it seems to be more effective to go to the loo, take the roof off, and drive on a half full tank, without a passenger, thereby saving around 100kg at no cost!

[mckeann]

i thought the price of carbon fibre was at an all time high??

[BiggestNizzy]

even if you could get it cheap the panels would have to be hand layed, just like the S1 body and that makes it expensive. You do have issues with surface finish as well although I read somewhere you can get treatments that give it a good enough finish for painting.

[Shug]

Why hand laid? The S2 clams were pressed and I'm sure you can handle CF in such an automated process these days. Material cost may be high, but there would be huge savings over what it used to be if the process has been streamlined. Still, it's not my field, so I may be wrong on this.

[BiggestNizzy]

I don't think you can inject carbon fibre. carbon fibre currently has problems with surface finishing requiriring another coating to be applied as well as hand polishing.

[tut]

Introduce CF into the equation for the S3 and the price of the car would be unrealistic.

I can remember when I got my licence back in '99 after six years without, that I was looking at Jags and BMW's, and I still have no idea why I bought an Elise. I do know that I had read a very good review, but I looked at the spec of a 1.8 Rover engine, 118hp, and 127mph top speed. 0-60 was good, 0-100 was not.

Eleven years on potential buyers would look at similar figures but in a heavier car, but be more sensible than me. Of course if they did they would not be part of S_E, so their loss.

tut

[twisted2fit]

subaru and toyota are collaborating on coupe that will have a turbo flat 4.... maybe we will see a turbo flat 4 in an elise/exige:-) would sound amazing

[delands]

From Pistonheeds so dont shoot the messenger:

[token]

[BiggestNizzy]

nice, although my money is on a scoop in door.

[j2 lot]

I think that looks great, here's hoping the final rendering is as good

[kenny]

Nice but just looks heavy.

[delands]

nice, although my money is on a scoop in door.

????

[Mikie711]

That looks . Looks like they have gone to equal sized wheels although difficult to be sure from the picture and is it me or does the sill height look lower.

[OlberJ]

Plenty room for a 2GR in there