[10"]

See the quote by the CEO of McLaren. Lighter is the key to motoring enjoyment as well as efficiency!! Always has been. Colin Chapman is likely smiling in his grave!

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...-of-power-race

We now have a fantastic opportunity for the U.K. to be at the very forefront of a new automotive 'weight race' that can help achieve increasingly tough environmental targets. While McLaren has a long history in using lightweight materials to boost vehicle performance, it’s something we are also heavily investing in as part of our future with the opening later this year of the brand-new McLaren Composites Technology Center in Yorkshire. It will lead to innovations in the technology going into our cars and not only provide a significant boost to that region, to jobs and the supply chain but also to the U.K.’s reputation for innovation.

[Never_Enough]

Word. Now someone gut my Hellcat

[zx10guy]

This has been done for years on sport bikes. The lengths the manufacturers have gone through is simply amazing on these street legal race bikes. Even my old 2004 ZX-10R has a bunch of things done in the name of weight savings. From the use of titanium with the headers all the way back to the muffler to hollowed parts such as the handle bars and major sized bolts.

I've said this before. I think BMW's auto division would do well by actually talking to what the Motorad division is doing.

[eatsleepboost]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

This has been done for years on sport bikes. The lengths the manufacturers have gone through is simply amazing on these street legal race bikes. Even my old 2004 ZX-10R has a bunch of things done in the name of weight savings. From the use of titanium with the headers all the way back to the muffler to hollowed parts such as the handle bars and major sized bolts.

I've said this before. I think BMW's auto division would do well by actually talking to what the Motorad division is doing.

Yea I would love to see cars get lighter as the handling increases and they can justify the lighter weight since fuel economy will go up.

As for the motorcycle world I also had an 05 zx10 so same first gen as yours and I couldn't believe how light all the components were when I disassembled the bike. I have worked on cars my whole life and all the lightweight parts on the bike blew me away. Would certainly love to see that incorporated into the auto world more.

[Red Bread]

Now if we could just stop the growth trend. I assume the G20 is going to be in the 186-188" length range. I'd kill for something rwd in the S3 size class.

[shay2nak]

Exactly. I've dropped more weight from my Lotus and will do the same with the M3. I haven't weighed the car yet stock, but I'm hoping it's not more than 3500 lbs. Dumping 200 lbs without going crazy should be doable. Getting it around or under 3200 would be awesome.

[Alfisti]

With the power being made by performance car now, 200 pounds is a blip, not gonna feel it. It's a male passenger.

[10"]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

With the power being made by performance car now, 200 pounds is a blip, not gonna feel it. It's a male passenger.

You will always feel less weight...less mass that has to rotate is something that should never be underestimated. 200 lbs is significant...

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by 10"

You will always feel less weight...less mass that has to rotate is something that should never be underestimated. 200 lbs is significant...

200 pounds over 4,000 pounds just 5%. With 500Hp pretty common, it's fuck all.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

200 pounds over 4,000 pounds just 5%. With 500Hp pretty common, it's fuck all.

But nothing cool weighs 4,000 pounds.

[10"]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

But nothing cool weighs 4,000 pounds.

This.

[Viffermike]

Regarding the bike-vs-cage weight-savings comparison: Guys. C'mon. The picture is much, much bigger than that. I know you guys know your motorcycles, but weight savings serve exponentially far greater things on a motorcycle than a vehicle -- and, thus, it's easier to justify.

I'm going to try to be as general about this as possible:

Point 1
Very few cage buyers care about weight savings. Most care about comfort.
Conversely,
Very few motorcycle buyers care about comfort. Most care about weight savings.

Point 2
Very few governments require significant safety equipment on a motorcycle.
Conversely,
Most governments require significant safety equipment on a cage.

Point 3
On most motorcycles, exotic, lightened materials serve multiple purposes (weight savings, aesthetics, component routing, fluid storage, etc.). Even when heavier materials are used, the component often has multiple purposes.
Conversely,
On most cages, exotic, lightened materials usually serve one purpose.

Point 4
On most motorcycles, exotic materials are accepted and expected, and most customers are willing to pay for them -- therefore, the market and its economy of scale allows them.
Conversely,
On most cages, exotic materials are not accepted and expected, and most customers are not willing to pay for them -- therefore, the market and its economy of scale does not allow them.

I could go on, but I won't. Cages and motorcycles are apples and oranges, particularly when talking about this.

[TSM330i]

Alois Ruf's favorite car to drive is his early 1970's 912 because it's so light weight. He's a big fan as well.
I LOVE the fact that McLaren is pursuing this to the fullest. It makes a big difference in the way the car reacts under load in corners and braking and of course acceleration.

YAHOOO!

[The Wind Breezes]

Adding power is cheap, adding meaningful lightness while keeping all the modern shit that "needs" to be in a car is ludicrously expensive.

/thread

[BM dnobagaV]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

But nothing cool weighs 4,000 pounds.

You are gravely mistaken.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by BM dnobagaV

You are gravely mistaken.

I will gladly die having this opinion.

[chetrickerman]

BMW actually did a great job keeping the weight down in the M3/M4 given its size.

[1MOREMOD]

Adding lightness is a wise strategy

[10"]

Originally Posted by BM dnobagaV

You are gravely mistaken.

No he's right...there might be good cars that are over 4000 pounds but nothing REALLY good or interesting. not in a visceral way at least..

[1MOREMOD]

Agreed. Sub 3k should be the norm

[10"]

Originally Posted by chetrickerman

BMW actually did a great job keeping the weight down in the M3/M4 given its size.

I'd agree. At least they lightened it from the E92 M3. Could have been lighter though if it had less tech...

[RM7]

Carbon fiber (or chopped up variations) chassis are coming.

Far lighter, stiffer and stronger.