Not content with being embroiled in a laser light war with BMW, Audi now seems intent on taking on physics with its new plastic springs. Ok so technically the new springs are made of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP), but that's just fancy plastic right?
The reason for the development of the new springs is weight; the new units weigh in at 1.6 kilograms a piece - or 40 per cent less than a conventional steel spring. This makes for a lower un-sprung mass, which in turn allows the suspension to react quicker to changes in the road surface and to absorb imperfections more effectively. "The GFRP springs save weight at a crucial location in the chassis system. We are therefore making driving more precise and enhancing vibrational comfort," said Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi AG. There are other benefits of using the GFRP springs such as the fact that they do not corrode even after stone chipping, and they are not affected by chemicals such as wheel cleaners.
Anything else?
Audi says the new technology will hit the road in "an executive class Audi model" before the end of the year so if you see a 151-plate Audi in January stick your head under the wheelarch for the tell-tale light green springs.