BMW creates Flax Fiber to replace Carbon Fiber

[HotRodM4]

Originally Posted by SoCali E36

I mean it’s pride month after all.

We got woke carbon before GTA 6 😂

[BroDoze]

So as I figured. Not nearly as strong as CF and not nearly as light as CF.

Once again, green wins, we lose.

[-Ryan-]

Looks better than forged carbon at least.

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by afadeev

OK, that makes a bit more sense now - they can't source proper Carbon Fiber in the near future, so they give us Crap Fiber instead!

a

So I’m guessing you’re an insider and tested this? Otherwise you’d either be a toxic troll, or just a bully who hates everything that doesn’t destroy the environment, which I hope you aren’t?

So what’re your impressions on it in person? What is crap about it?

[Cortexiphan]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

So as I figured. Not nearly as strong as CF and not nearly as light as CF.

Once again, green wins, we lose.

You’re a living being on planet earth. You depend on ‘green’. When green wins, you win.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by NathObeaN

I just wish it wasn’t always about ‘SaViNg ThE PlAnET’. I’m sick of this BS peddled by companies. BMW - tell us the REAL reason you’re testing this - it’s cheaper to manufacture, right? So, it’ll be cheaper for consumers, right? Tell us the practicalities. I don’t care about your eco PR nonsense. I care about - weight, rigidity, cost, looks, durability, availability etc.

The fact that NONE of these things are mentioned, expect some photos, leads the consumer to assume it’ll be objectively worse in all metrics (apart from being cheaper for BMW to manufacture - their real reason for doing it in the first place). Otherwise, they’d be screaming from the rooftops about the improvements.

It's currently more expensive to make.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

So I’m guessing you’re an insider and tested this?

Insider knowledge for what, EU's weird (and recently failed) attempt to label CF as a "hazardous material"?
That's all in public domain:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a6...bon-fiber-ban/

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

You’re a living being on planet earth. You depend on ‘green’. When green wins, you win.

There are a lot of shitty "green"-washed products out there.
Just because a company markets something a "green" doesn't make it good, or better than the alternative. Nor does it even guarantee that it's better for the environment. Only that a company wants to you think that they are "being green".

If linen-based composites were better than CF-based composites (lighter, stronger, cheaper), we would all be using them today. The reality is that they aren't, and so we don't.

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Otherwise you’d either be a toxic troll, or just a bully who hates everything that doesn’t destroy the environment, which I hope you aren’t?

An argument truly worthy of an elementary school paper!

[NathObeaN]

Originally Posted by akkando

It's currently more expensive to make.

Do you have a source? What’s the justification for BMW then? CO2/reglatory targets?

[Fugly M3]

No comment.

[MDude]

Originally Posted by Mavus

exactly and eaten often by rodents including on mil vehicles lol

Originally Posted by Mani59

Article from The Drive.


BMW's carbon fiber parts will soon be replaced with a lightweight, flax-based natural fiber, and it's hitting mass production for consumer cars soon.

BMW‘s carbon fiber roof parts will soon be replaced with plant fiber. When the BMW M4 GT4 hits the Nürburgring for its next 24-hour race, it’ll be race-testing the same flax-based natural fiber composites. I don’t think that means you’ll be able to eat your Bimmer (yet), but it should make their construction more environmentally friendly.

Attachment 3760098

Visible trim pieces on M cars that have been carbon in the past will start to be replaced with this similar-looking plant stuff. BMW announced this week that its flax-fiber (not the official name) has been “confirmed for series maturity,” meaning ready for mass production.

The German automaker been working with Swiss clean-tech company Bcomp for several years to develop new lightweight composites from renewable raw materials. And while natural fibers have been tested in BMW’s racing cars for some time (Formula E in 2019, M4 GT4 and DTM later), the idea is finally making its way to road cars.

BMW has a stake in Bcomp through its venture capital arm, called BMW i Ventures.

The ultimate goal is to reduce carbon emissions (at a corporate level—not the tailpipe emissions of the individual cars it’s fitted to). As the brand states in its release, “Lightweight construction has long been a crucial development field for the BMW Group. The use of natural fibers with a reduced CO₂e footprint in composite materials has become [...]

Interesting, but what an ugly weave; looks like some cheap carbon fiber part that was made in China you can buy off of eBay.

[Mavus]

wonder if you’d be able to dispose it in compost. that would make it really enviro friendly

[JJacksonIII]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

Watch it sucks ass compared to the real thing - just like every other green alternative material. Vegan “leather”, water-based paints etc.

In before the disappointment.

"Water based paints"

[allinon72]

Do consumers even get a say in anything anymore? Nobody wants this. Guess we'll vote with our wallets.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by tnot

Sounds like the look can be tailored—hopefully BMW chooses something decent.
https://www.bcomp.com/news/aesthetic...rior-bodywork/

It's highly unlikely that BMW will offer one weave and pattern using new materials. Carbon fiber appearance will be undoubtedly one of the choices. It simply makes sense. tnot Thanks for sharing and lowering the decibel level of this discussion.

[hotrod182]

Wouldn't be so bad if it had a darker/high contrast look. Right now it is too light with a milky almost appearance.

[sharkymcpeterson]

I’ll keep buying 2023 model year bmws….

[JJacksonIII]

Wow, people are predictable. Change no good! Me like metal dashboards! And steel stronger than aluminum!

Let's just freeze time and stop all future innovation so we don't upset the know-it-alls.

[MartinS]

April’s fool?

[sitcom323]

Originally Posted by Lifted

He’s saying this is gay

And that means what exactly?

[McLaren720s]

[hufington]

I'd rather see results of real life usage. Don't like the look.

[G30M]

charge more for biodegradable product that self destructs, more $$$ profit.

GENIUS!