The bodywork is constructed with BPS240 carbon composite body panels and MTM57 has been used for the trim applications. The interior trim applications are press moulded with aluminium tools, giving ‘excellent’ surface finish and high part-to-part dimensional tolerances with minimal trimming operations.
BPS240 is a ZPREG® rapid deposition system with a stable, high temperature and integrated surface film capable of producing ‘Class A’ surfaces for both low and high bake paint systems, a standard which is maintained whilst in service, says ACG.
The panels can be moulded from high quality composite or metal tooling, bringing manufacturing times down by as much as 80% compared with traditional carbon prepreg materials. Further significant cycle time and cost reductions are possible if the material is processed using matched die compression moulding techniques, which is what IFR uses for the interior parts.
Aspid is said to be the only car in the world to meet both Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) safety requirements and European homologation standards, meaning its hybrid carbon fibre and aluminium body structure strength renders an additional roll cage for race application unnecessary.
The predominance of carbon fibre reduces the vehicle mass to 700 kg, cutting emissions and increasing fuel economy. The car's power-to-weight ratio is 1.75 kg/bhp and it has an acceleration rate of 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, and 160 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Its braking performance is 160-0 km/h in 3 seconds.
