Technical report: the aluminium body of the Audi A8
by Hansjorg Schretzenmayr
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 21, No. 2/3, 1999

Abstract: Audi has introduced a completely aluminium body for the Audi A8. Audi's ambitious objectives with respect to weight, comfort and safety required more than a simple substitution of materials. Various semi-products of aluminium (die castings, extrusions, sheet metal) form a whole and each element acts as a load-bearing entity. This completely new body structure – the Audi Space Frame - offers superior characteristics in stiffness, rigidity and energy absorption. At the same time, weight is reduced by approximately 40%. The need for an economical repair concept has been integrated. Furthermore, the concept has enough potential to improve environmental compatibility.

Online publication date: Wed, 20-Oct-2004

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