The Polestar 1 Has Carbon Fiber Bonding Inspired By A Bug

As it nears closer to production, we continue to learn more about theupcoming 2019 Polestar 1. We saw the car in concept form last March at Geneva and we'll see it in action for the first time in just a few weeks' time at theGoodwood Festival of Speed hill climb. Today, new information has arrived from Polestar regarding the stunning coupe's advanced carbon-fiber build techniques. Remember, the coupe's upper body, including the doors, front wings, hood and trunk are all made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP).

That's not easy to pull off because carbon fiber behaves differently than traditional build materials, such as steel and aluminum. Polestar engineers therefore used draping simulations that simulated how carbon fiber would react in the real world. As a result of these computer simulations, the directional weaves in the carbon fiber are specifically placed to counteract forces and increase strength during driving conditions. The lightweight carbon-fiber body also helps shave off over 500 pounds of extra heft, which is extremely beneficial because the required batteries for the plug-in hybrid system are not exactly light. The CFRP body is then bonded to the steel underbody by a Dragonfly-shaped (yes, like the insect) patch of carbon fiber.