Hyundai Motor gets innovation award for Intrado concept car’s carbon frame design
- Unique frame architecture for more effective and flexible carbon-fibre use.
- Carbon-frame saves 70% weight on chassis and still provides optimal rigidity.
- Intrado concept car wins Jury Prize in JEC Innovation Awards 2015.
The Hyundai Motor Company has received the Jury Prize at the JEC Innovation Awards 2015 for its innovative carbon-fibre frame design used in the Intrado concept car. The prize was presented during the JEC Europe 2015 conference in Paris this month.
The JEC Innovation Awards recognise technical excellence, market potential and originality, rewarding the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. The organisation selected the lightweight and futuristic frame of Intrado, which complements the concept’s advanced fuel-cell powertrain and design, representing the progressive spirit of Hyundai Motor Company.
At the core of Intrado’s pioneering frame are carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) sections, which are based on carbon-fibre tubes. This approach allows for more effective and flexible use of the carbon material, avoiding offcuts and long energy-consuming preparation processes. The unique process is a major forward step when compared to conventional steel and other CFRP chassis architectures.
The minimalistic, self-supporting skeleton-like frame structure is highly stable and extremely light weight, saving 70% weight compared to a conventional chassis and around 30% on the overall vehicle weight, without compromising safety attributes.
One essential element of the frame’s overall rigidity is the floating centre console beam. This beam provides Intrado with its unique strength as well as connecting the seating and powertrain to the carbon frame. It serves as a mounting point for essential controls and adds to the vehicle’s protective structure. Additionally, it supports the frame’s integration with the fuel cell powertrain components.
The Intrado frame is a result of global collaboration and knowledge-exchange not only within Hyundai Motor but also with two of the world’s pre-eminent carbon fibre producers – Lotte Chemical and Hyosung Corporation. The frame was manufactured by Axon Automotive.
About Hyundai Motor Company:
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is committed to becoming a lifetime partner in automobiles and beyond. The company, which leads the Hyundai Motor Group, an innovative business structure capable of circulating resources from molten iron to finished cars, offers top-quality and award-winning cars such as the Elantra and ix35. Hyundai Motor has seven manufacturing bases and seven design and technical centers outside of South Korea and in 2014, sold 4,96 million vehicles globally. With almost 100 000 employees worldwide, Hyundai Motor continues to enhance its product line-up with localized models and strives to strengthen its leadership in clean technology, starting with the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle, ix35 Fuel Cell.
