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2016 C7 Corvette Stingray Sheds 20 Pounds Courtesy Of New Body Panel Material

General Motors has been busy investing in the future. We’ve previously detailed how the latest Omega platform will provide an outlet for larger vehicles, but also keep curb weights down substantially through a mixed material usage.

As the future warrants stricter fuel regulations, weight savings will become more important moving forward. That is why Continental Structural Plastics has been working closely with GM to introduce TCA Ultra Lite, the company’s latest body material. And it’s fitting to the 2016 C7 Corvette Stingray marks the first vehicle to ever utilize the material.

The Class A body panel composite passes all OEM paint and quality tests, and shaves 20-pounds from the 2016 C7 Stingray’s mass.

“In materials engineering, shaving a single pound per car is a significant accomplishment, so saving 20 pounds per car is monumental,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer. “This is a great example of how Chevrolet is continually looking for innovations that improve performance on Corvette, and could benefit possible future applications.”

The material offers the weight savings and benefits of aluminum, including superior finish quality, but offers reduced cost at volumes. For production volumes under 150,000, costs for composites can be as much as 50 to 70 percent less than those for stamping steel or aluminum.

As for the 2016 Corvette Stingray, the material has been used with no changes to the body panels’ thickness, and no re-tooling was required to implement the change.

It sounds like more TCA Ultra Lite may find its way to other GM vehicles someday after this successful application on a lower-volume car.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Maybe that is why GM did not show much interest in Ford’s F-150 aluminum body.

    Reply
  2. No rust OR oxidation issues….hmmm. GM may be leapfrogging aluminum.

    Reply
  3. You two numb skulls need to understand that this only works for low volume niche applications.

    The next GM pick-up will be all aluminium a full 6 years after Ford.

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    1. From CSP’s website:
      ” It also offers reduced costs at all volumes – and for production volumes under 150,000, tooling costs for composites can be as much as 50 to 70 percent less than those for stamping steel or aluminum.”

      So, it seems that the possibilities are there to expand production. Remember, aluminum was once reserved for niche applications.

      Reply
    2. I disagree with you regarding an all aluminium GM pick-up in the future. We have been working very close with GM and other manufacturers on light wieght high tensel strength next generation steel. Our R&D facility has some very high tech materials that are not only lighter than aluminium but corrosion resistant and easy to repair and paint. The Steel Industry has not given in to the rethoric that “Aluminium is the answer to weight savings” we have materials in the pipeline that can compete with alumunin any day of the week.

      Reply
    3. Well for one, the F150 only has an aluminum body. It still has a steel frame. Secondly, Ford F150 is tanking in sales. Thirdly, if GMs next truck were to be made of aluminum, it would be coming in 2018. Not sure about you but 2015 to 2018 isn’t “a full 6 years”.

      Reply
    4. Speaking of numb skulls, this numb skull apparently didn’t even read the article. What a numb skull!

      Reply
  4. Think we might see this on the Silverado eventually? Door skins, rockers, front fenders, hood. I don’t know how much weight that would save but any weight saved is worth it.

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  5. There is great future for composites and aluminum. Maybe GM will pull a pseudo return to the ProTec box and go for composite truck parts?

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  6. Well we have to consider some things here we do know.

    #1 GM has never really said they were doing a all Aluminum truck. Many think they will but there has been no announcement of this. GM has had concerns of the cost of materials could cut into the profits on the trucks.

    #2 GM has invest heavy into molded Carbon Fiber to cut production time and stronger plastics to cut cost. Carbon Fiber itself is not expensive the time to make it is where the cost is. Cut the production time cut the cost.

    #3 GM has been marketing how they are using a number of materials to cut mass but retain strength and hold cost.

    #4 GM trucks and cars are already being engineered to lose weight with out resorting to any kind of crazy materials yet. Once they do come on line more weight will be lost. GM has made loss of mass as priority one on all new models. They will do it the most cost effective ways possible to keep the profits up and prices in line. The fact is the company that can sell at the best price and most profit will win. Just look at people buying Kia’s just because of the price.

    I can see GM losing more weigh yet on their trucks and under cut Fords weight even without a full aluminum body. Boron steel has gotten cheaper and is very high strength and light. Doing this could leave GM more room profit wise to work and make them even more competitive price wise in all models.

    Lets face it If you can build a great car at a better price people will come. They are tired of the prices we have. While GM will not discount I can see them not increasing cost as much as some others.

    Reply

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