BMW has introduced a new, lighter, and more environmentally friendly material derived from flax to replace carbon fiber, reducing CO2 emissions. After testing it in racing, this natural fiber composite is now ready for use in the company's production models.
The material's development has spanned several years, in collaboration with the Swiss clean-tech company Bcomp. Besides BMW, Bcomp also works with other automakers like Porsche, Volvo, and Polestar. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint of vehicle components without compromising performance.
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BMW roof made from flax-based material. Photo: BMW |
BMW roof made from flax-based material. Photo: BMW
This material is extracted from flax, the same plant that provides the linen often found in bedsheets and tablecloths. Unlike soft linen, this natural fiber composite is strong enough to compete with carbon fiber and has a distinctive pattern that creates a unique appearance. This makes it an ideal choice for visible car parts, both inside and out.
BMW has revealed images showing natural fiber composite parts on the M4 Coupe, including the entire roof, the rear diffuser, and trim pieces on the hood.
According to BMW, the car roof alone can reduce CO2 emissions by 40% compared to carbon fiber, along with other additional benefits. Moreover, the new material meets the stringent structural requirements for the roof during the entire vehicle certification process.
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Rear diffuser made from flax-based material. Photo: BMW |
Rear diffuser made from flax-based material. Photo: BMW
BMW M Motorsport first used this natural fiber composite material in the 2019 Formula E season before replacing CFRP parts in the M4 DTM and M4 GT4 race cars. The M4 GT4 will soon be put to the test at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring with the new parts.
These flax-based components might be available as optional upgrades in BMW M's catalog for certain models rather than standard features. Another point of interest is the price of these components compared to those made from carbon fiber.
My Anh (Carscoops)
