Audi is Working on Polymer Springs
Most of the different technologies found in a car have evolved drastically in the last decades. If we were to place an Audi R8 right next to a vehicle built at the beginning of the last century, we would quickly see that almost nothing is similar: the engine is more advanced, electronics now rule everything, digital screens have replaced analog gauges… However, there is a part that is common to both cars: the springs. They might be calibrated and made using the last advancements in computers, but when you get down to it, they are just coils of steel…
Audi decided to work on this particular part, and this is what they came up with: polymer springs. They are made out of a plastic polymer reinforced with glass fiber. According to the manufacturer, even if the new part is larger and the diameter of the tube is wider, it is 40% lighter. This will not only improve handling, but also offers numerous other advantages.
Since it is not made out of metal, there is no risk of rust, even after years of use. The chemicals used to clean a car won’t affect it, meaning they won’t require special care. And, they are simpler to make than the steel versions.
Audi is set to unveil this new technology on a mid-size vehicle (A4, A5?) before the end of the year.