Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice
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The F80 will have no such exotic engine and need another party trick. To me that is low weight. 3300 lbs is not such a stretch or expensive as you make it out to be.
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Carbon fiber is the composite that provides strength stiffness and potentially the largest weight savings. Unfortunately, it is also extremely expensive. Have a look at
this discussion thread from over a year ago where we debated early weight rumors for the car. In that thread (post #57) I showed how it would cost BMW about $1k to save 300lb using carbon fiber. That number may be closer to $1k for 500lb as well, it all depends on how inexpensive BMW has been able to purchase and manufacture composites. Keep in mind this is not $1k in the PRICE of the car, but $1k of COST, that will be significantly multiplied many times over for PRICE. Given that the raw material itself (carbon fibers) are probably still the controlling cost factor, I doubt they've had any great breakthroughs on cost. In short, the conclusion from that thread is that a 3200 lb car is extremely unlikely, I also believe 3300 is as well for the same reason.