oh here is the story. My friend told me that SLR body is 100% carbon fiber, which I know for a long time; then he told me that carbon fiber is harder than steel and you can't put a dent to it. He went even further by saying if you have a car accident with a SLR, the most damge is just paint scratches. He said that carbon fiber is tough and it will not break or dent. I serious doubt what he told me. I agree carbon fiber is light weight and tough, but I still think hitting something at 30~40mph will dent or break it. Since I am not rich enough to buy one and try it out, can someone confirm me?

 

it wont really dent, more like shatter, but it'll take a lot of pressure to do it. maybe a light hit from another car will scratch it but if you're driving the SLR and get in a serious accident, dont consider yourself invincible just because it's CF.

 

It won't bend, but it will shatter.

 

Have you ever seen a wrecked Enzo? That should answer your question.

http://jalopnik.com/cars/news/jalopn...nzo-251316.php

 

here a proof to my buddy http://www.248am.com/mark/news/naseems-slr-crash/ LOL

 

echo anyone?

 

thanks guys for clearing up this stupid question for me in such short time. that is why I love this forum than any others.

 

Your friend doesn't know what he is talking about.

The car's chassis may be made of carbon fiber for reduced weight AND structural rigidity.

but the body panels are not load bearing parts, and if they are made of carbon fiber then it is purely for weight savings (granted there are some load bearing panels that add to rigidity such as the roof...but most body panels do not).

yes, given a 10 lb carbon-fiber panel vs. a 10 lb steel panel, the carbon fiber panel will most definitely be more rigid. but the actual scenario is a 1 lb carbon fiber panel vs. a 10 lb steel panel, where the carbon fiber panel may negligably be more rigid, but not undentable or unbreakable.

what's more, i find it funny how people comment when they see a late model car in a crash and say, "oh my, look how bad that car crumpled! they dont' make them like they used to!".

uh, cars are DESIGNED to crumple in order to absorb the energy of the impact. Having stiff/rigid body panels and chassis that don't "crumple" will mean that your body will absorb all the energy.

 

Thought the Enzo was fiberglass.

 

Carbon chassis and body

 

that'll buff right out.

 

In the case of the veyron the carbon fiber panels aren't load bearing members since the car has an aluminum tub, but in the case of cars like the SLR, which use a full carbon fiber monocoque, some of the panels do indeed act as load bearing members.

And with the comment about "they don't build 'em like they used to". Its SUPPOSED to crumpled!

 

yikes, the results looks scary.

 

yeah i always argue with older people like my father or uncles. They always say the new cars are like tin foil toys, the crumple right up. Unlike the old cars that would not give as easily. I tell them exactly what you said, theyre supposed to. The crumple action absorbs the energy of the crash, if they built them like they used to, we'd we absorbing all that energy...

 

Controlled, directed absorption is good. Reactive, explosive armor is better

 

 

It's funny, cause we used to only have to worry about the fiberglass corvette being the only car not made of metal. Now adays, you never know what exterior parts are made of plastic or some other material... I'm old fashioned, so I think it's kinda scary when they glue on body panels



I think one of the major reasons for the Ford 150 recent re-design was that it DIDN'T crumple enough... Increasing crumple zones has been going on since 1973, and some of the automakers are finally getting around to finishing up their whole lineups