Supercars and F1 racers deliver their astonishing performance because they are constructed from the best materials available and, soon, HGVs will be too, claims the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA).
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“This exciting development could deliver lower emissions, higher fuel economy and greater potential for heavy cargo. The move would actually reduce the number of lorries on the road …easing congestion,” MIRA said.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) has been signed between MIRA Ltd and The Technology Team (TTT). The deal signposts the future of commercial vehicle design, and sets out the framework by which the parties will explore new tractor and trailer units, using advanced lightweight structures and aerospace materials.
MIRA & TTT plan to develop conceptual design solutions for carbon fibre vehicles. Once support from Brussels has been confirmed, these will revolutionise the commercial vehicle sector, MIRA claimed.
MIRA’s 60 year history of pioneering automotive design is central to the successful delivery of a bespoke cab design in the coming months. MIRA launched the Optimus design concept at the 2006 commercial vehicle show – the world’s first truck cab to be designed entirely using virtual engineering tools. The design processes developed for this are now ready to enable the rapid development of the world’s first so-called supertruck, MIRA said.
TTT has recently completed a carbon composite trailer and has the production expertise needed to ensure any new products are delivered to exacting standards.
Plans for EU funding under the Framework 7 scheme are already in place and if successful will serve as the catalyst of future development.
