Report: The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will use more carbon fiber and aluminum
In a bid to save weight, increase fuel economy, enhance handling, and increase the marketing hype over aluminum and carbon fiber, Mercedes is seriously considering softening the S-Class curb weight for the next generation. The previous version used close to 10 percent aluminum (with the remaining metal being iron and steel) and the current generation uses about 50 percent aluminum in its construction. Given Mercedes’ margins on this car and others, this is not seen as the significant risk that Ford is taking with their F150, both in terms of the repair costs (and fears) and the sometimes volatile aluminum market.
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Currently only AMG models use carbon fiber in their construction, but the next models of the S-Class will likely take on a certain amount of carbon fiber reinforced areas to drop the weight. This news on the 9th generation S-Class comes shortly after this month’s international motor show in Geneva.
-By: Sawyer Sutton
Source: AutoNation