Audi lightweight springs innovation

Audi has come up with an invention that could shave a lot of weight from the current shock springs that is being used on their vehicles. The new springs are made of a glass fiber-reinforced polymer and are 40 percent lighter than steel springs, Audi said today. Developed in conjunction with a supplier in Italy, the springs are larger than the steel versions they would replace and use fewer coils.

“The GFRP springs save weight at a crucial location in the chassis system. We are therefore making driving more precise and enhancing vibrational comfort,” said Audi technical development boss Ulrich Hackenberg. 

GFRP Springs production requires less energy than steel springs and Audi says the GFRP components can also be tuned for specific tasks, presumably for varying levels of stiffness. They also won’t corrode and can’t be damaged by chemicals like wheel cleaners.

The GFRP springs can be precisely tuned to their respective task, and the material exhibits outstanding properties. It does not corrode, even after stone chipping, and is impervious to chemicals such as wheel cleaners. Last but not least, production requires far less energy than the production of steel springs.