I presented Formtech’s lightweight concept at the recent Future Car Body last week in Bad Neuheim in Germany. An interesting event looking at lightweight concepts of the future.
Formtech E1 – Lightweight Concepts for Future EV’s at the Automotive Circle Future Car Body event in Bad Neuheim Germany n 2012
The presentation looked at concepts that were developed during the creation of the Formtech E1 EV research concept vehicle. We approached the development from the ground up looking at the issues surrounding design and manufacturing of composite structures drawing on previous work. Our previous work into the substitution of composites in Formula One was used to drive our thinking in substitution in the automotive industry.
Formtech created a vision of EV when they launched the E1 atFrankfurt’s IAA Motorshow in September. The research study provides the base for a number of concepts in lightweighting technology using composites, high-end materials and machining.
Formtech’s EV started out as a concept for the companies CEO Franz Hilmer, “I wanted to develop a car that would provide me with a second vehicle that I can use to commute to work, but be stylish and provide the basis to exploit the technologies that Formtech is developing in lightweight materials, high-end precision manufacturing and other technologies.”
Designers: Satoshi Nakamura, Tomas Beres, and Rafael Gross, were given the brief to develop a number of concepts, “The chosen concept of the E1 came from the idea that a secondary car; where the customer already owns a vehicle, and considering an eco-friendly alternative especially designed for short commute, with the capacity to carry 4 passengers, should be simple and take full advantage of the electric drive train. The limited top speed and range will create a lighter, more efficient vehicle, perfect for a second car. The design features a short overhang at both ends to create maximum capacity within the given wheelbase dimension. The side surface wraps around to the front and rear end, creating a sense of security and strength to the overall form. “, said Nakamura.
“The future of EV’s will be based around a number of game changing technologies”, says Mark Preston, ex-F1 designer, “I forsee a change in the way EV’s are perceived with lightweight carbon composites and vehicle dynamics technology such as torque vectoring driving exciting new areas of customer interest. We created the research study in order to create a platform from which Formtech can develop these new technologies and provide solutions for all areas of EV development”.
The Formtech E1 forms the basis of further development studies by Formtech into the exciting new area of EV’s. Further studies will be released from Formtech that follow up on the beginnings created with the E1. “Formtech is committed to working towards the future and welcomes discussions with interested companies and investors from the green sector“, says Hilmer.
