Ford Unveils Ultra-Lightweight Concept Car - weighs 2600 lbs

[igor@af]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqFgj6zfHso

Lightweight Concept vehicle represents Ford's ongoing research for future light-weighting and advanced materials applications, building on the all-new Ford F-150, which sheds up to 700 pounds through use of high-strength steel and aluminum alloys. Light-weighting is key component of Ford's Blueprint for Sustainability for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Carbon wheels, aluminum replacing steel, hollow springs, hollow crankshaft, and hollow swaybars.

Pretty amazing.

The industry has been making fatter and fatter cars because of the increasing safety regulations combined with cost-efficiencies for the last 25 years.

Consider the weight of even the recent "Supercars" - they mostly weigh well over 3,000 lbs, with some closer to 4,000. McLaren F1 supercar from early 90s weighs 2400 lbs.