Gordon Murray’s new IStream chassis claim to cut vehicle weight in half

Gordon Murray Design, a British visionary design and engineering company, has taken the internet on a storm with its launching news of the latest version of chassis frame technology “IStream Superlight”. It claims to be applicable to every vehicle segment right from small city cars or heavy goods vehicles.

Originally, the system used thin-wall and high-strength steel tubing, as a method for reducing costs in automotive manufacturing and minimising vehicle weight. But now Murray’s company has unveiled an updated version using aluminium thin-wall tubing and honeycomb recycled carbon-composite panels in place of stamped metal.

This new version claims to deliver a vehicle only half the weight of a standard metal vehicle of the same class and size while achieving new levels of rigidity and durability and also maximising the flexibility of the production platform for manufacturers.

Along with IStream Superlight, GMD has also reportedly awestruck the automotive industry by launching a lightweight seat, using the same materials, techniques, and technologies as the IStream chassis.

Incorporating glass or recycled carbon-fibre composite on a tubular frame, the IStream lightweight seat is 30 per cent lighter than a typical car seat and suits all types of passenger vehicles, including aerospace and rail.

Among many other advantages, IStream Superlight is claimed to have better corrosion resistant properties than coated steel and more efficient frame stiffness for the aluminium section through the use of the carbon panels, but all at no extra cost.

Prof Murray is of opinion, “The new iStream Superlight approach to vehicle manufacturing is a paradigm-shifting innovation for the global automotive industry. It is a breakthrough that will deliver the lightest chassis technology for decades to come.”