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Italiaspeed.com:
As Alfa Romeo embark on a program to return to their roots and build no-compromise sportscars, details of a new chassis design under development have emerged.
The multi-material chassis demonstrates the possibility to carry out a separate chassis design for super-sportscars. Characteristics of this new concept include improved steering precision, comfort and better performance. The split-frame separate chassis architecture assures increased isolation from the principal sources of vibration (engine and suspension). This concept solves the general weight problems of fitting high-performance cars with separate chassis. The material used on the chassis provides a structurally sound design with an incredible power to weight ratio. Specific materials have been used in sub-groups of the chassis to ensure torsional rigidity and resistance to impact, whilst keeping the weight down. The chassis is comprised of carbon fibre, titanium and alluminium alloys.
Advantages and possibilities:
Weight control: The complete chassis (excluding the suspension) weighs less than 100 Kg.
Chassis performace adapted for super-sports car: The torsional and flexible rigidity assures compliance with the Euro-NCAP standard (offset collision at 64 km/h with deformable barrier).
Technologies adapted for production volumes of upto 5 cars a day: The labour intensive process of manual carbon fibre lamination has been eliminated by a new process called VRTM (Vacuum Resin Moulding Transfers). This concept represents the first application of VRTM where woven carbonfibre is used for certain high strengh chassis members."
This concept of chassis manufacturing has been give the go-ahead and will be seen in Alfa Romeo sportscars in the latter half of this decade.
Telaio dual frame multimateriale (estrusi e fusioni di alluminio e titanio, fibra di carbonio-nomex) per soluzioni con trasmissione tansaxle e motore anteriore centrale (8c Competizione Coupč/Spider, 2005).