New BMW X5 prototype has body made of carbon fiber

According to BMW, its new lightweight, BMW X5 prototypes is about 50 percent lighter than the weight of the first ever X5 released some years back. The prototype uses a material called carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) purportedly cuts down the major chunk of the weight of the car and at the same time does not compromise on any of the safety standards set for these vehicles.

Thus, as far as safety is concerned, the CFRP can also provide stability to a vehicle in intemperate weather condition while at the same time furnishing the requisite strength to absorb any potential hits without debilitating damage despite of its lightweight nature.

The used of CFRP material, in the X5 prototype, saves and accounts for about 400 pounds in reducing the sports cars weight as against its predecessor X5 editions that used steel on the body. The 400 pounds less may not hold any significance to the casual observer however all the car expects takes this as significant improvement that means less weight on the engine to pull around. Needless to mentions what it means to the power and speed of the sedan.

Source: topspeed