| General Motors plans to use the 2009 Corvette | | | | roof, front and back spoilers, front fenders, |
| ZR1 as a test platform for the incorporation | | | | and side rocker panels. Overall, the weight |
| of carbon fiber parts in high-volume | | | | of the sports car will be brought down 35 |
| vehicles. Carbon fiber, a material first used | | | | lbs. For instance, the roof panel and roof |
| in the racing world, has the advantage of | | | | bow, come in 7.7 lbs. less than the same |
| weighing 50% less than steel. Although it is | | | | components on a conventional Corvette. |
| expensive, carbon fiber could be the answer | | | | Engineers will be studying the durability of |
| to bringing down body weight, a crucial | | | | the experimental material over the life of |
| component in meeting the new federally | | | | the ZR1s and using the data to improve |
| mandated standards for higher fuel | | | | placement of carbon fiber parts to achieve |
| efficiency. The recently set corporate | | | | mass efficiencies. |
| average fuel economy (CAFE) levels call for a | | | | |
| fleet average of 35 mpg to be achieved by | | | | The ZR1, unveiled in January at the Detroit |
| 2020. | | | | Auto Show, is a good test bed for the carbon |
| | | | fiber components as it is a high-end sports |
| Designers at General Motors predict that it | | | | car to be produced as a limited edition only. |
| may take as long as a decade to truly | | | | Interestingly enough, however, most people |
| understand the potential carbon fiber holds | | | | will not be able to recognize the presence of |
| for vehicle manufacturing. The company's | | | | the carbon fiber with its distinctive weave |
| first use of carbon fiber was in the 2004 | | | | pattern on the ZR1 because it will be well |
| Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition, where the | | | | hidden beneath a shell of paint. Carbon fiber |
| outer hood was fabricated of the material. | | | | is highly susceptible to yellowing under |
| The 2009 ZR1 will include the use of several | | | | ultra-violet light. |
| key carbon fiber parts including: hood and | | | | |