New carbon fiber research center for Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A has presented its new Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) located in Sant’Agata Bolognese, at the brand’s headquarters. This center is responsible for the research of innovative design and production methods for carbon-fiber elements. Representing a breakthrough into the next generation of carbon-fiber components the ACRC and an all-new, highly efficient production process for extremely complex carbon-fiber structures were developed simultaneously.

According to Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A the development of carbon-fiber technology represents a priority for the strategy of the Italian brand. In today’s car market one of the most important parameter for super sportscars is the weight-to-power ratio. With the power increment being limited by emission regulations engineers must focus on weight reduction.

“Extensive use of carbon fiber, even at structural level, allows Lamborghini to be at the forefront of development techniques. The real difference is in the correct use of technologies and materials to satisfy technical and financial concerns. This is what the Center is all about,” explains Stephan Wikelmann.

Carbon composite materials become crucial in automotive engineering especially when we are referring to super sports cars because they combine the lowest possible weight with excellent mechanical properties. By becoming lighter these high-performance cars improve fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Thanks to the use of composite materials in carbon fiber a super sports car sees its acceleration, braking and handing improved.

The recent Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera is a good example for the successful use of these materials in Lamborghini’s cars. In fact, compared with the Gallardo LP 560-4, in which it is based, the Superleggera weights less 70 kilograms. Thanks to the use of carbon fiber the super sportscar weights 1340 kilograms, a new benchmark for the market segment occupied by Lamborghini.

Comprising two facilities and a total area of more than 2,600 square meters the new Lamborghini Advanced Composite Research Center has a team of 30 engineers and technicians working on the development of vehicle components of all shapes and sizes. They build prototypes and the associated tools, production tools, and develop optimized production technologies.