2009 Corvette Zr1 to Incorporate Carbon Fiber Components

General Motors plans to use the 2009 Corvette ZR1parts including: hood and roof, front and back spoilers,
as a test platform for the incorporation of carbon fiberfront fenders, and side rocker panels. Overall, the
parts in high-volume vehicles. Carbon fiber, a materialweight of the sports car will be brought down 35 lbs.
first used in the racing world, has the advantage ofFor instance, the roof panel and roof bow, come in 7.7
weighing 50% less than steel. Although it is expensive,lbs. less than the same components on a conventional
carbon fiber could be the answer to bringing downCorvette. Engineers will be studying the durability of the
body weight, a crucial component in meeting the newexperimental material over the life of the ZR1s and
federally mandated standards for higher fuel efficiency.using the data to improve placement of carbon fiber
The recently set corporate average fuel economyparts to achieve mass efficiencies.
(CAFE) levels call for a fleet average of 35 mpg to beThe ZR1, unveiled in January at the Detroit Auto Show,
achieved by 2020.is a good test bed for the carbon fiber components as
Designers at General Motors predict that it may takeit is a high-end sports car to be produced as a limited
as long as a decade to truly understand the potentialedition only. Interestingly enough, however, most people
carbon fiber holds for vehicle manufacturing. Thewill not be able to recognize the presence of the
company's first use of carbon fiber was in the 2004carbon fiber with its distinctive weave pattern on the
Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition, where theZR1 because it will be well hidden beneath a shell of
outer hood was fabricated of the material. The 2009paint. Carbon fiber is highly susceptible to yellowing
ZR1 will include the use of several key carbon fiberunder ultra-violet light.