GE and Hyundai roll out concept car

Shortly after promoting the possibility for an increased plastics role in environmentally efficient vehicles through collaboration on the General Motors concept Volt plug-in hybrid, GE Plastics (Pittsfield, MA) has partnered with Korean automaker Hyundai on an advanced technology demonstration vehicle (ADTV) called the QarmaQ.

The QarmaQ applies GE composite and thermoplastic material in 30 applications, including the so-called Elastic Front, exterior, interior, lighting, and underhood components for an overall weight savings of 60 kg that creates average annual fuel savings of 80 liters/yr. The crossover utility vehicle applies Valox polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and Xenoy polycarbonate(PC)/PBT iQ, which are derived from 85% postconsumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as well as Flexible Noryl for wire and cable coatings, Lexan PC, Exatec 900 glazing, and HMD (high modulus ductile) Xenoy iQ.

The elastic front, which features lower and upper leg protection, as well as the bumper, hood, head impact zone, and front fenders apply GE Plastics for a weight savings of 29 kg. The car also features movable side glazing, which uses the Bayer/GE joint-venture’s Exatec’s plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to create an abrasion resistant coating, and two-shot molding for integrated seals. The doors were able to reduce weight by 50% by applying HMD Xenoy iQ.

Earlier this year, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, General Motors unveiled its Volt concept vehicle, on which it also collaborated with GE, applying Lexan, Xenoy iQ, Noryl, and Exatec coatings to achieve 50% weight reduction (see e-Weekly Jan. 19, 2007 for initial report).—[email protected]