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Hyundai Motor receives innovation award for
Intrado carbon frame design
• Unique frame architecture for more effective and flexible carbon-fibre use
• Carbon-frame saves 70% weight on chassis and still provides optimal rigidity
• Intrado concept car wins Jury Prize in JEC Innovation Awards 2015
Offenbach, 17 March 2015
Hyundai Motor has received the Jury Prize at the JEC Innovation Awards 2015 for its innovative carbon-fibre frame design showcased on the Intrado concept car. The prize was presented during the JEC Europe 2015 conference in Paris this month.
The JEC Innovation Awards recognise technical excellence, market potential and originality, rewarding the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. The organisation selected the lightweight and futuristic frame of Intrado, which complements the concept’s advanced fuel-cell powertrain and design, representing the progressive spirit of Hyundai Motor.
At the core of Intrado’s pioneering frame are carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) sections, which are based on carbon-fibre tubes. This approach allows for more effective and flexible use of the carbon material, avoiding offcuts and long energy-consuming preparation processes. The unique process is a major forward step when compared to conventional steel and other CFRP chassis architectures.
The minimalistic, self-supporting skeleton-like frame structure is highly stable and extremely light weight, saving 70% weight compared to a conventional chassis and around 30% on the overall vehicle weight, without compromising safety attributes.
One essential element of the frame’s overall rigidity is the floating centre console beam. This beam provides Intrado with its unique strength as well as connecting the seating and powertrain to the carbon frame. It serves as a mounting point for essential controls and adds to the vehicle’s protective structure. Additionally, it supports the frame’s integration with the fuel cell powertrain components.
The Intrado frame is a result of global collaboration and knowledge-exchange not only within Hyundai Motor but also with two of the world’s pre-eminent carbon fibre producers - Lotte Chemical and Hyosung Corporation. The frame was manufactured by Axon Automotive.
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About Hyundai Motor
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is committed to becoming a lifetime partner in automobiles and beyond. The company leads the Hyundai Motor Group, an innovative business structure capable of circulating resources from molten iron to finished cars. Hyundai Motor has eight manufacturing bases and seven design & technical centers worldwide and in 2014 sold 4.96 million vehicles globally. With almost 100,000 employees worldwide, Hyundai Motor continues to enhance its product line-up with localized models and strives to strengthen its leadership in clean technology, starting with the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle, ix35 Fuel Cell.
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About Hyundai Motor Europe
In 2014, Hyundai Motor Europe achieved registrations of 424.467 units – an increase of 1% compared to 2013. Almost 95% of the vehicles Hyundai sells in the region are designed, engineered and tested in Europe to meet the needs of European customers. And 90% are built at its two local factories in the Czech Republic and Turkey, which have a combined annual capacity of 500.000 units. Hyundai sells cars in 30 European countries across 2.500 outlets.
Hyundai offers its unique Five Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty package with all new cars sold in the region, providing customers with a five-year warranty with no mileage limit, five years of roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.
