With the new BMW M4 GT4, BMW M Motorsport is taking their use of innovative composite solutions to the next level: As a matter of fact, there is no other GT racing car in series production matching the amount of natural fibre composite parts. The new materials were developed by BMW M Motorsport partner Bcomp. Taking the findings and experience gained on the track as a basis, these new material technologies will also find their way into BMW M models and BMW M Performance Parts.
NATURAL FIBRES REPLACE CFK.
Bcomp’s ampliTex and powerRibs flax fibre solutions can be found throughout the interior on the dashboard and centre console, as well as on bodywork components such as the hood, front splitter, doors, trunk, and rear wing. Aside from the roof, there are almost no carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components that were not replaced by the renewable high-performance flax materials.
Innovations like these are increasing in importance in the world of motorsport too. So we are delighted to have Bcomp on board as an official BMW M Motorsport partner for the new BMW M4 GT4.
Inspired by leaf veins, the powerRibs reinforcement technology developed by Bcomp maximises stiffness with minimal weight by creating a 3D structure on one side of a thin-walled shell element. This enables a decrease in the amount of base material used, thereby reducing weight, costs and consumables in production. The ampliTex reinforcements add a visible layer of flax fibres as a carbon-neutral replacement for the conventional covering material.
SUITABLE FOR SERIES PRODUCTION.
SUITABLE FOR SERIES PRODUCTION.
Combining the two materials makes it possible to cut the amount of plastic used for interior panelling by up to 70 per cent and at the same time to lower CO2 emissions by as much as 60 per cent. The result is vehicle components, whose failure mode without sharp debris and splinters has the additional benefit of increasing safety over traditional composites. The natural fibre composites will also find their way into the BMW M Performance Parts.
NEW MATERIALS SAVE WEIGHT.
NEW MATERIALS SAVE WEIGHT.
Employing renewable raw materials and natural fibres such as hemp, kenaf or flax minimises material usage while also achieving a weight reduction of up to 50 per cent over conventional materials. This in turn helps to lower the energy consumption of the vehicles in which they are used. What is more, the natural materials bring down the calculated CO2 figure, as their original plants have absorbed CO2 while growing and released oxygen.
FROM RACE TRACK TO ROAD.
FROM RACE TRACK TO ROAD.
Bcomp’s cutting-edge reinforcement solutions were first deployed by BMW M Motorsport in Formula E in 2019. The flax cooling shaft on the BMW iFE.20 made it the first BMW racing car with parts constructed from renewable plant fibres.
Meanwhile, the Bcomp-developed powerRibs and ampliTex reinforcement solutions made from natural composite materials have been used in DTM touring cars from BMW M Motorsport to substitute selected CFRP components. Such advances underline BMW M Motorsport’s vital role as a technology lab for the BMW Group, which is now set to continue with the collaboration on the successor to the BMW M4 GT4.
BMW GROUP INVESTS IN BCOMP.
Furthermore, BMW i Ventures, the premium carmaker’s venture capital firm, is investing in the Swiss cleantech company. Plus, BMW Group Research and Bcomp are also setting up a development collaboration with the aim of using a higher proportion of renewable raw materials for components in future vehicle models.
