4 December 2009, Osaka - Toho Tenax, Teijin Group’s core
company of the in its carbon fibre business, announced today that its carbon fibre-reinforced
plastic (CFRP) has been adopted for use in the cabin and various components of
the Lexus LFA, a new Lexus ‘F’ premium sports car series, which Toyota Motors
unveiled at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show and will begin marketing at the end of
2010.
A total of 65% of the Lexus LFA’s cabin will be made with
CFRP, enabling the cabin to weigh 100 kilograms less than a comparable aluminium
cabin, yet still maintaining high rigidity. CFRP will also be used for the
diffuser, speed-controlled rear wing and interior components, contributing to
the vehicle’s considerable weight savings. Toho Tenax supplies its materials for
most of the CFRP components used in the Lexus LFA.
Toho Tenax developed the components in cooperation with
Toyota group companies, parts manufacturers and the Teijin Composite Innovation
Center (TCIC). The new components represent important steps forward in the use
of carbon fibre for core automotive components, the company said today.
According to Toho Tenax, by 2020, around four million
electric vehicles and other environmentally friendly next-generation
automobiles are expected to be on the market. As the market steadily shifts
towards these environmentally-aware vehicles, robust demand is envisioned for
high-rigidity, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre composite materials, such as
those offered by Toho Tenax.
Going forward, Toho Tenax will collaborate with TCIC to
further develop carbon fibre composite materials and related technologies,
placing a focus on automotive applications targeted at both high-end and
mass-production vehicles.
