QarmaQ, a Hyundai and GE Plastics technology demonstrator, showcases an Elastic Front, an innovation that can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in pedestrian collisions. A Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) presented at the Geneva Motor Show, QarmaQ is Hyundai's Advanced Technology Demonstration Vehicle (ATDV). It features over 30 different environmentally progressive technologies which will be selectively incorporated into Hyundai's new models to be rolled out from 2008 to 2014. QarmaQ is lighter, stronger and more economical than any current production CUV in its class, claims Hyundai. It also offers significant recycling advantages both in construction and eventual disassembly. The Elastic Front safety system encompasses the whole front end of the vehicle. Three energy-absorbing structures are fully integrated underneath the futuristic styling and take advantage of several advanced materials that offer inherent energy absorbing properties. QarmaQ's body panels have been designed to work in concert with energy absorbing systems on the underside of these panels to manage and dissipate the force of a pedestrian/vehicle collision. The front wings were designed from the beginning to be one very large single injection moulded component. Together with the deformable bonnet and precise bumper mouldings, these also form a major addition to pedestrian impact safety. The sophistication of the material and manufacturing technique also played a major part in the ability to fully encapsulate the complex headlight shape into the whole frontal styling. Departing from conventional car design that combines a lower body and a glass cabin on top, QarmaQ blazes a new trail with panoramic wrap-around glazing area using GE's Lexan polycarbonate resin. The wrap-around GE Lexan windscreen and extensive use of GE polycarbonate glazing materials provides a weight saving of up to 50% compared to glass. The glazing features a unique technology from Exatec which deposits a thin protective layer of glass on the Lexan to add protection from scratching and the effects of weathering. QarmaQ also introduces new curved and moving side glazing in Lexan. As well as allowing such advanced applications, the impact resistance and other properties of this material also helps increase both occupant and pedestrian safety.
Engineered for pedestrian safety
Future Materials - fm ; 2 ; 18
2007
1 Seite, 1 Bild
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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