Polestar Puts Carbon Fiber to the (Crash) Test

Volvo Car Corp.’s Polestar unit says the carbon fiber structure of its upcoming hybrid performance coupe performed has performed as it was designed to do during initial crash tests.

The Polestar 1 uses carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) in the hood, trunk, body panels, doors and roof, saving 500 lbs over a traditional steel design. The use of a CRFP “dragonfly” crossbeam also helps improve the torsional stiffness of the car’s lower body, according to Volvo.

But unlike a steel or aluminum body that crumples and helps absorb energy, Polestar notes that carbon fiber parts tend to crack and shatter on impact.

During 35 mph frontal crash tests of the Polestar 1 into a stationary barrier, most of the energy was absorbed by the car’s crash structure. The rest was mitigated or absorbed through the carbon fiber body panels, according to the carmaker.

Polestar performed the crash test at its facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden. Additional testing will be conducted later this year.

Full production of the $155,000 Polestar 1 is due to start in mid-2019 in Chengdu, China. Output will be limited to 500 vehicles per year.