On October 19, a new concept car RN30 jointly developed by BASF and Hyundai Motors appeared at the 2016K exhibition. This concept car combines core solutions from the chemical industry, specific aerodynamic design and high-performance expertise.
The new concept car is designed to provide every driver with pure track driving pleasure. With a passion for cars and a comprehensive product portfolio, BASF’s material solutions have helped Hyundai achieve its boldest design concepts.
Lightweight plastic improves racing performance
As a racing car built for the track, light weight and low center of gravity are important to the RN30. Both parties use new lightweight materials developed by BASF specifically for high-performance vehicles. For example, thanks to the outstanding fluidity, BASF’s Elastolit® rigid self-skinning foam and reactive injection molding (RIM) systems are used not only for body panels, but also for the most challenging designs such as fenders and spoilers Made it happen. These materials combine high quality with light weight, and their Class A surfaces can even be sprayed directly. The semi-structured sandwich solution used in the trunk floor is another highlight of the RN30. It not only significantly reduces the weight of the car body, but also improves the production process efficiency. BASF’s Elastoflex® E is a spray-coated polyurethane for lightweight, high-strength sandwich structures. The long glass fiber-reinforced facings and honeycomb panels in this structure are ideal materials for such applications.
Durable materials enhance safety
When driving at high speed, the stable quality brought by durable and reliable materials is directly related to the safety of the driver. BASF’s Infinergy® is the world’s first foamed thermoplastic polyurethane with excellent durability and toughness. This time, the roll cage pad of RN30 uses Infinergy and elastic coating. However, uncontrollable speed is dangerous. Fast cars also require high-performance braking systems. The breakthrough technology Hydraulan® 406 ESI developed by BASF overcomes all technical challenges and extends the durability of brake elastomers to meet stringent regulatory requirements.
For more complex and compact electronic components in the car, BASF’s new Ultramid® Advanced N not only achieves miniaturization and functional integration, but also gives designers greater freedom. The material can be used for electronic components and structural parts near the engine and transmission, and can withstand the test of high temperature, corrosive substances and different fuels.
Interior design optimizes driving experience
During the interior design process, the designers of RN30 worked closely with Hyundai Motorsport’s racing experts to create a more focused interior space for the driver. The bucket seat for racing completely fits the driver’s body shape, and the integrated roll cage enhances the strength of the vehicle body and protects the driver’s safety in dangerous situations.
For irregular parts such as seat shells and seat basins, BASF offers Ultracom®, a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite system based on an injection-molded structure that maintains excellent strength and stiffness while reducing weight. The final molding of the seat shell and seat base also requires a matching combination of semi-finished products, such as tape or laminate and injection molding compounds. BASF’s unique simulation tools Ultrasim® and Ultratest ™ component inspection and processing technology play an important role in the entire production process of seat parts.
Efficient thermal management and natural fibers increase sustainability
The car must minimize unnecessary ballast weight such as air conditioning. Thermal management solutions such as BASF’s near-infrared reflective film can help the RN30 window block sunlight from the heat and keep the interior cool and comfortable. This transparent, pure organic film is specifically used to filter infrared light, while other rays such as light, GPS and telephone signals can still pass through, which has an advantage over metal films.
Acrodur® water-based adhesives increase the strength of natural fibers, provide environmentally-friendly, dimensionally stable, and lightweight solutions for automotive hybrid components such as the RN30’s dashboard and door panels, creating the possibility for high-level design of the RN30.
Color and coating solutions add color to your design
Color can stimulate imagination and highlight personality. BASF’s ColorPro IC water-based primer “Performance Blue” is a new generation of personalized color, providing rich colors, flexibility and unparalleled quality, making the appearance of RN30 glorious. In addition, BASF’s innovative iGloss® clear coating has advanced easy-to-clean features that help minimize micro- marks. In the interior, BASF’s patented transfer coating technology valure ™ can be used in combination with various soft substrates in the interior, such as leather, to form a soft, breathable, high-quality surface, thereby creating nearly unlimited design possibilities.