FRS-Man
Well-Known Member
They didn't cite a source but I hope they're right and not just making stuff up to sell magazines. Doesn't sound like it's like the BMW i8 or i3 full carbon tub though? Sounds like a mix of CF + metals?
Sponsored
I don't think Car would make this up and I have pretty good confidence in it.They didn't cite a source but I hope they're right and not just making stuff up to sell magazines. Doesn't sound like it's like the BMW i8 or i3 full carbon tub though? Sounds like a mix of CF + metals?
Good point. But by the time the Supra begins production it may have been 3-4 years since i3 production started, during which time carbon fiber production costs may have dropped. Or at least I hopeI know the i3 technically offers a carbon tub and starts at $40k, but (pardon my ignorance) for that $40k (realistically $50k+) you're getting a baby tiny carbon tub with some ugly, ill-fitting body panels attached to it, some golf cart motors to move it here and there, and not much else. Can Supra really offer a real-size carbon tub + all the trimmings of a purebred sportscar for $60k, $70k?
Like everyone else I get excited about the idea of a full carbon tub for the Supra but I have my doubts. I can see it for the Supra but I can't see BMW giving a Z4 a full carbon tub, and these two cars are supposed to use the same chassis. The Z4 is already priced $50-60k after options. With a carbon fiber body it'd have to be priced $70-80k?? Awfully high asking price for a mid sized 2 seat roadster.If we got the full-blown real-deal carbon tub in the FT1, it would have potential to be even lighter, but more costly.
6 years is nothing. That means the next generation of cars might have tons of CF for today's prices.At some point down the line I think most cars could end up with some kind of carbon fiber construction. I remember reading recently that Audi and BMW and others formed some kind of group that's targeting a 90% drop in carbon fiber production costs within 6 years. At that point, carbon fiber will be like any other common construction material we see used today. Can't wait!
Article: http://blog.caranddriver.com/weave-...loping-carbon-fiber-thats-90-percent-cheaper/
If it weighed mid 3000 pounds it wouldn't be able to get a 500 pound reduction probably. It's only because it's so big and heavy a car to begin with that reducing its size and changing its architecture construction can shave off so much weigh.Crazy that the 6 series weighs over 4000 pounds! What is the chassis made out of led?
Imagine if it weighed in mid 3000 pounds and then got the 500 pound reduction. All this carbon fiber talk is exciting and all but what does that mean for repairs if there's ever an accident? Is my car goiing to be 'totaled' much easier or can the carbon material they use be repaired as much as other materials like aluminum and steel?
Me 2. Feels like it would be a step backwards after they were able to produce a full carbon body for the i3 and i8. This is beauty!I hope this isn't the FT1 supra platform. Definitely doesnt sound full CF like we were all hoping for.
It's not the same platform that Toyota and BMW are developing. This CLAR platform is BMW's modular platform they'll use for everything from the 3 series up.I hope this isn't the FT1 supra platform. Definitely doesnt sound full CF like we were all hoping for.
@Craigy your point about the 6 series being priced higher than Z4 wouldnt that mean the 6 series should get the most advanced and expensive architecture (i.e. a full CF body) instead of a lower priced model like the Z.
Not sure if you have had the pleasure of visiting a body shop in the recent ten or twenty years, but even with metal panels, they no longer repair/Bondo anything. It's a lot cheaper to replace panels. It's the same thing with cars with plastic panels.Crazy that the 6 series weighs over 4000 pounds! What is the chassis made out of led?
Imagine if it weighed in mid 3000 pounds and then got the 500 pound reduction. All this carbon fiber talk is exciting and all but what does that mean for repairs if there's ever an accident? Is my car goiing to be 'totaled' much easier or can the carbon material they use be repaired as much as other materials like aluminum and steel?
Never thought about that point. Just did some digging around for what BMW i3 owners pay for example and one guy is paying just about $250 more a year for insurance compared to a 2004 Mazda 3, so it's probably not a huge premium increase just because of the carbon construction.Not sure if you have had the pleasure of visiting a body shop in the recent ten or twenty years, but even with metal panels, they no longer repair/Bondo anything. It's a lot cheaper to replace panels. It's the same thing with cars with plastic panels.
For now, as long as all new cars are insured, insurance will be burdening the higher replacement costs. And at the rate folks are mentioning here, carbon fiber panels will soon cost almost the same as metal panels.