Nissan look to Shed Weight from New Cars in 2016
Published Date: 9th Feb 2016
Nissan plan to get in shape for 2016 with a drive to reduce the weight of vehicles
Nissan has launched a prototype programme; this is the first step in creating revolutionary lightweight materials that will be used for the vehicles of the future. Nissan will be driving this work in collaboration with many different car manufacturers and research entities as part of the Lightweight Excellence Programme (LEP)
This is Nissan’s New Year’s resolution and they are sticking to its commitment – to shed weight from its passenger car range – starting in 2016 and into the future. Nissan’s ‘Lightweighting Programme’ will produce a innovative material structure designed to be used in the floor of the vehicles from today and into the future.
Nissan plan to work closely with the UK suppliers, Nissan will use materials and techniques used in the motorsport and aerospace industries to inspire themselves - including the materials used in space travel.
David Moss, Vice President, Vehicle Design & Development, NTCE said: “The next 12 months promise to bring not resolutions, but revolutions, as the brand marches forward with yet more ‘Innovation That Excites’. This programme is another demonstration of our commitment to developing the cars of tomorrow, today.”
He also said: “We know the cars of the future will need to be lighter, stronger and more efficient, that is why we are launching our prototype programme in collaboration with research and industry bodies across the UK. This programme intends to produce a new manufacturing process that will revolutionise the industry.”
As well as the ‘Lightweighting Programme’ Nissan is involved in a huge weight reduction programme, that has already achieved a 90kg weight loss for the X-trail and 40kg for the latest generation Qashqai.
Nissan’s efforts in the ‘Lightweighting Programme’ will improve performance, fuel consumption and counteract the weight of the increasing amount of technology being built into vehicles. The prototype being produced will test the viability of the new part.
Nissan is undertaking this work as part of the LX consortium of auto manufacturers and research bodies led by Sigmatex and supported by Axillium Research, in partnership with Cranfield University, Engenuity, Expert Tooling & Automation, Granta Design, Group Rhodes, LMAT, Surface Generation and Tilsatec. The consortium seeks to enhance the capability within the UK automotive supply chain to manufacture composite components.
The LX programme is funded by the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, set up by the UK Government to help existing UK supply chains grow and achieve world-class standards.