Brycej
05-24-2015, 10:12 PM
Anyone that has ever interfaced with conventional springs is certain to have many thoughts… one of which often is; “Wow, these things are heavy… couldn’t they be made lighter?”
More than a year ago, Audi introduced GFRP springs (http://blog.caranddriver.com/audis-new-composite-coil-spring-shaves-weight-enhances-vibrational-comfort/)… and despite a clear value, the reception on this noble venture still seems amazingly quiet.
The surprises for me are on many levels:
1) This is a non-trivial achievement with far-reaching impacts on performance… where’s the excitement in the performance community?
a. I did a search… not a single article on Audizine on the topic, and only adverts referencing this elsewhere.
2) With the wide array of performance spring vendors out there… why does it take Audi to drive such an initiative?
a. By extension: What does this say about the innovation, priorities, and trajectory of these “old guard” manufacturers (read: Given that GFRP is lighter, lasts longer, is tunable, and more “green” to produce… is this the “Quartz Revolution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_crisis)” of the spring/suspension market)?
3) Why have we not seen any performance springs using GFRP or any other innovations with similar weight reductions?
a. True, one vendor has a "Race Spring" (15% lighter)…nice, but clearly not in the league of the 40% reductions of GFRP.
If anyone made a GFRP lowered spring… I’d buy it, and I can’t imagine I’d be alone… so, who’s out there innovating to take my money… is Audi alone?
Thanks…
More than a year ago, Audi introduced GFRP springs (http://blog.caranddriver.com/audis-new-composite-coil-spring-shaves-weight-enhances-vibrational-comfort/)… and despite a clear value, the reception on this noble venture still seems amazingly quiet.
The surprises for me are on many levels:
1) This is a non-trivial achievement with far-reaching impacts on performance… where’s the excitement in the performance community?
a. I did a search… not a single article on Audizine on the topic, and only adverts referencing this elsewhere.
2) With the wide array of performance spring vendors out there… why does it take Audi to drive such an initiative?
a. By extension: What does this say about the innovation, priorities, and trajectory of these “old guard” manufacturers (read: Given that GFRP is lighter, lasts longer, is tunable, and more “green” to produce… is this the “Quartz Revolution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_crisis)” of the spring/suspension market)?
3) Why have we not seen any performance springs using GFRP or any other innovations with similar weight reductions?
a. True, one vendor has a "Race Spring" (15% lighter)…nice, but clearly not in the league of the 40% reductions of GFRP.
If anyone made a GFRP lowered spring… I’d buy it, and I can’t imagine I’d be alone… so, who’s out there innovating to take my money… is Audi alone?
Thanks…