Lotus Engineering has been commissioned by Evonik, a global leader in specialty chemicals, to construct the Evonik LWD Exige, an ultra–lightweight demonstrator based on the highly acclaimed Lotus Exige Cup 260. The Evonik LWD Exige was unveiled at the JEC Composites Show in Paris in March 2009. As a world leader in lightweight high performance sports cars and a world-leading engineering consultancy, Lotus integrated Evonik’s innovative technologies into this Exige Cup 260-derived vehicle, already a car which uses lightweight components and carbon fibre extensively.
The Evonik LWD Exige demonstrator vehicle uses two Evonik materials for body panels and glazing:
• Rohacell, a rigid foam core material sandwiched between lightweight preimpregnated carbon fibre epoxy composite material, is used for new body panels which have been engineered and manufactured by Lotus. It is used extensively in Formula 1 monocoque construction and this is the first application of this sandwich composite technology on a road going sports car.
• Plexiglas, a low-cost, lightweight alternative to glass which has high break resistance and impact strength, is used for the windscreen and side windows. Also at the JEC Composites show, Paul Sills, Executive Engineer of Lotus Engineering gave a presentation on the Eco Elise, another Lotus-based demonstrator featuring sustainable hemp, eco wool and sisal in the manufacture of its body panels, seats and interior trim.
