Lighten Up

This is the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster:

We’re running that picture not only because it is. . . well just look at it.

Bellissimo.

But for another reason, too.

This is the monocouque of the Lamborghini Aventador:

That is a single piece that combines the cockpit, floor and roof in a single structure. A single carbon fiber structure. The whole thing weighs just 147.5 kg, but for those of us who aren’t in Italy, where the metric system holds sway, that’s just 325 lb.

The reason that we’re running these pictures has to do with composites.

As in an event that you may be interested in attending next month (December 8-10) in Knoxville, Carbon Fiber 2015, which is being put on by our sibling CompositesWorld.

Lamborghini has established something of a leadership position in making vehicles with composite technology. The LP 700-4 Roadster weighs just 3,362 lb. It also has a V12 engine, which allows the car to run up to 217 mph (0 to 62 mph in 3 seconds)—not that you would.

Of course, the ordinary run of vehicle manufacturers are looking at carbon fiber technology not to go like the proverbial bat-out-of-hell, but in order to reduce overall mass, thereby achieving greater fuel efficiency.

Anyway, there is that conference that’s going on next month where you can learn about the technology.

And the publisher of CompositesWorld is providing a discount for those of you who read this. Use the code “ADPDEAL” when registering and he’ll lighten the price by $150.

According to Lamborghini, the LP 700-4 has a combined fuel economy rating, based on the European driving cycle, of 16 liters/100 km. That’s 14.7 mpg.

In a world where the CAFE regulations are going to be looking for 54.5 mpg by 2025, things like that Lambo are probably going to become even more rare than they are now.

Presumably one could take that monocouque, stick in a hybrid powertrain, and hit the number.

Regardless, the fact is that in order for U.S. automakers to meet the 54.5 mpg mark in 2025 and the Europeans to meet the European Union legislation for 95 grams of CO2/kilometer by 2021, vehicles are going to have to become significantly lighter.

And composites are one means by which this can be achieved. And Composites 2015 is one place where you can learn about it.