Automotive Even Simone,
Automotive Even Simone, our covergirl was enthusiastic: “A phantastic car and a great day for me” Car type: Ford Mustang GT RTDi Engine: Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI (bored up to 2 Litre) Technical Data: • Front engine, rear-wheel drive • Tuning: GERMAN TORQUE FACTORY & FOUR MOTORS • 4 cylinder, 16 valves, pump-injector element • 1,969 cc • 260-280 PS (256.44-276.16 horsepower) • 480 - 520 Nm torque • Top speed: at least 245 km/h (152.24 Mph) • Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h - about 5 seconds • Sequential 5-gear transmission (DRENTH) • The most powerful Biodiesel engine in the world last few years. Natural fibres such as flax, hemp or cotton were combined with bioplastics to form rigid components. The first prototype applications were fire-fighter helmets and a canoe. The body parts of the race car, however, not only had to be weatherproof, but also had to fulfil all the safety requirements for automobiles. Thus for the body parts a flax-cotton fabric was soaked with linseed oil-acrylate, developed by Hobum Oleochemicals GmbH of Hamburg, Germany. While the flax fibres provide the necessary rigidity, the cotton fibres are more elastic and can absorb impact loads. Depending on the desired wall thickness, several layers of fabric were combined and put into a mould. After evacuating the mould the acrylate was introduced into the closed mould by a resin injection process. In order to compress the composite properly, the process was continued in an autoclave at elevated temperatures and pressure. Flax or hemp-fibre reinforced plastics (albeit fossil based), are well established in today’s automotive industry. Covered with leather or textiles, those components are, for example, inner door linings, rear shelves or spare wheel wells. Besides the ecological advantage, car designers appreciate the excellent mechanical properties in combination with a low density. In case of a crash 22 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/07] Vol. 2
Automotive natural fibre reinforced composites do not splinter, nor do they expose sharp edges. The PSP Racing Team, together with Four Motors, headed by Thomas von Loewis, is the first racing team ever to start with a race car featuring a body partially made from renewable resources. “We wanted to prove that environmental sustainability is possible even in a racing car. Therefore we want to inform the public that the message is: we can all stay mobile, even if crude oil is in short supply within the next 35 or so years”, said Thomas. In addition to the bio-body and the “Flower-Power Biodiesel” the car is equipped with environmentally neutral lubricants by LiquiMoly, and further components are under evaluation. The Mustang GT RTDi is currently undergoing some technical improvements. The team wants to be one of the most successful challengers in the upcoming 2007 racing season at the Nürburgring. Four Motors and Ford Europe are in advanced negations regarding whether Four Motors could prepare and race a Ford Focus ST with a Bioethanol powered engine alongside the Ford Mustang GT RTDi. Four Motors hopes that this will be agreed, giving them a second bio-fuel on the “BioConcept- Car” platform. So we can certainly look forward to the 2007 racing season. Hiphop star and race driver Smudo (left) www.invent-gmbh.de www.fnr.de www.hobum.de www.dlr.de www.fourmotors.com bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/07] Vol. 2 23
