BMW announced Thursday that the next generation of BMW 5 Series will shed 137 pounds through the use of a combination of aluminium, magnesium and high-strength steel. This falls pretty much in line with the premium car maker's earlier announcement of not using the "Carbon Core" format of the 7 series.
The last generation of BMW 5 Series was also based on aluminium; the metal was used extensively in front fenders, doors, and hood of the vehicle. The upcoming 5 Series builds on this further with the trunk lid crafted entirely out of aluminium, making it lose as much as 9 pounds from the overall body. 
“The trunk, trunk lid, engine cross-member, rear side-members, roof and doors are constructed from aluminium,” BMW updated in a media release Thursday. “The doors, with laser-cut outer panelling, have an aluminium shell construction, which maximizes the weight-reducing benefits of this material when used in combination with state-of-the-art production technologies.”
“The use of hot-stamped steels, aluminium alloys and multi-phase steels in the passenger cell provides high rigidity, for the best possible passive safety and low weight,” the release said.
The vehicle body is optimized for other vehicles’ safety as well, BMW assures.
{googleAdsense}
On being asked about BMW's strategic decision to do away with carbon fibre and relying on high-end composites instead of that for their upcoming vehicles, spokeswoman Rebecca Kiehne said, “BMW is pursuing the strategy of intelligent composite construction as a matter of principle. By applying this strategy and by means of optimized details in all areas of the car, we have succeeded in reducing the weight by 137 lbs in the new 5 Series as compared to the predecessor model – despite the increase in size. …
“The Carbon Core technology is reserved for our flagship. The 137 lbs was achieved with the use of magnesium, aluminium and high-strength steel.”
{alcircleadd}
Responses
