Feb 27 2009
Lightning is expected to strike at the 79th International Motor Show in Geneva – but only figuratively speaking. LAMPO – "lightning" – is the name of the environmentally friendly sports car prototype that is certain to attract a lot of attention at the famous automobile trade fair from March 5 to 15. LAMPO is an ambitious project on which BASF, its coatings subsidiary BASF Coatings, and the Swiss company Protoscar have worked hand in hand.
With a range of 200 kilometers and a horsepower of 268 (200 kilowatts), LAMPO wants to convince even skeptics that modern electrical vehicles can be high-powered, but fun to drive. LAMPO obtains its power from a lithium ion battery pack with a capacity of 33,6 kilowatt hours. The engines of the open two-seater are designed in such a way that energy is recovered every time the brakes are applied.
Visitors will be able to marvel at the premium electric car LAMPO at Booth 5141 in Hall 5 of the "e’mobile" association. The car will also be test run in May when it takes part in the “EVS 24 Viking Rally" for electric cars between Oslo and Stavanger in Norway.
The automobile design firm Protoscar in Ticino developed the electric car in the form of a convertible. BASF Coatings created the appropriate color selection for LAMPO. This selection by BASF color designer Eva Hoefli not only ideally fits the form of the car, but also colorfully establishes the connection between the electric car and the aspect of nature. The beholder immediately notices the light/dark contrast. A fascinating light silver with a bluish-green effect and a glossy finish evoke a bright yet cool impression. As a contrast, add-on parts were in turn coated in a brown color with a bronze effect and a matt clearcoat, creating warm, captivating elements in the overall color design that do not contradict the rather cold finish of the body, but instead are in perfect harmony with it.
BASF researches and develops for the energy management of the future
The search for new processes and products that contribute to climate protection play an important role in the research units of BASF. Within the "Energy Management" growth cluster, scientists are researching the development of new technologies and materials for the areas of renewable energy sources, energy storage, and energy conversion. This includes, for example, fuel cells, organic light-emitting diodes, or thermo-electric materials. When it comes to fuel cells, BASF manufactures innovative materials like membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) and catalytic converters that support the success of this technology. In the area of organic electronics, BASF contributes its material and system know-how, for example by a joint innovation lab (JIL) set up with technology partners. On the whole, the company spent about €80 million for research in the area of energy management between 2006 and 2008. www.corporate.basf.com/en/innovationen
Current BASF contributions for climate-friendly cars
Even today, modern plastics that replace the clearly heavier metal in many ways constitute a decisive contribution to energy efficiency. In the case of engine and transmission bearings, weight reductions of up to 50% can be achieved; newly designed shock absorber bearings reduce the weight by 30%, and the same applies to the oil drip pan made of the BASF plastic Ultramid. Due to innovative seats, the weight can even be reduced by 40%. Related to all cars registered in Western Europe , about 2.3 million metric tons of fuel and CO2 emissions of about 9.2 million metric tons can be saved annually through these weight savings. This corresponds to emissions of 10% of the total German car traffic every year. In the future, the use of plastics in automobile construction will continue to increase: while plastics now make up an average of 14% of the material percentage of a medium-sized car, this percentage will rise to 20% by 2010. http://www.automobil.basf.com
International Motor Show in Geneva
The Geneva Motor Show, one of the world's most important automobile trade fairs, took place for the first time in 1905. On average, more than 700,000 people visit the ten-day motor show every year.
All large vehicle manufacturers will be introducing their current innovations at the 2009 Motor Show, as well. In the area of private cars alone, 85 world and European premieres have been announced. The focus, however, will also be on the presentation of various technological solutions, especially in regard to the mobility of tomorrow. What's new is the "Green Pavilion," in which about ten exhibitors will be presenting the clean, environmentally friendly future of the automobile.
For more information, see www.salon-auto.ch.