FRP Coil Springs

Reducing unsprung mass improves both handling and ride comfort, so anything that can be done to remove weight from within the wheel arches is worth exploring. And one area that hasn't seen much innovation is the standard coil spring.



That's about to change with the introduction of the fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) spring, which replaces the usual steel springs for a weight savings of more than 40 percent.



Audi is developing a technique for creating these FRP springs that involves a fiberglass helix baked together with an epoxy resin, followed by a metal alloy wire that's woven into the spring. The process is actually quicker than the traditional method of creating a steel spring and the result isn't just a lighter spring, but a stronger one.



ETA: The first application will be in the 2012 Audi R8 e-tron, with mass adoption coming the following year.