BMW 2010 Annual Report Download - page 202

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FUTURE
Megacity Vehicle
20
It is true that the key to economical and ecological
volume production of CFRP lies in complete pene-
tration
of the value chain. It also explains why the
BMW Group is now able to exploit the potential of a
material many consider uniquely superior but too
di cult and costly for volume production.
CFRP is not only resistant to temperature fl uctua-
tions, acids and corrosion (and therefore much more
durable than metal), it is also 30 percent lighter than
aluminium and 50 percent lighter than steel. “CFRP
isthe lightest material that can be used in car-making
without compromising safety,” according to Nils
Borchers of the MCV development team. Crash tests
have proved that the Megacity Vehicle can withstand
a collision at least as well as conventional steel-
body
vehicles. This is primarily due to the LifeDrive
architecture, a revolutionary combination of a CFRP
passenger compartment and a chassis made of alu-
minium. While the aluminium frame known as the
drive module absorbs the collision energy in a crash,
the high-strength, carbon-fi bre reinforced life module
provides comprehensive protection for the Megacity
Vehicle’s occupants.
Since all of the drive units are located in the crash-
proof drive module, there is no need for a transmis-
sion tunnel, which typically relays engine power to
the rear wheels. This leaves the Megacity Vehicle much
more space for passengers – and gives the BMW
Group’s vehicle designers new scope for interior de-
sign. Last but not least, the brilliant two-module
de-
sign also has consequences for the vehicle’s production.
At the Leipzig plant where the Megacity Vehicle
will be assembled, the frame construction means that
complex conveyor technology is no longer needed.
This makes building a Megacity Vehicle less of an in-
vestment, much easier for employees to work with and
more fl exible than conventional production processes.
“Wecan ramp up MCV production quickly with re-
latively low outlay,” adds Martin Arlt of the
develop-
ment team. Its production will use 70 percent less water
and 50 percent less energy than the BMW Group’s
current plant average. Its total energy needs will
also be met completely from renewable sources.
No other body material is
this light and stable.
Body weight in comparison
in percent
Aluminium 70
Steel
Carbon
100
50