McLaren cars to use Aerospace industry-grade carbon fibre
10 Mar 2025|26 views
Every single McLaren ever has been based on a carbon fibre monocoque, maximising the benefits of this lightweight, strong, and durable material in body structures and aerodynamic systems. And now, McLaren has developed a world-first application of a highly specialised manufacturing process in the automotive sector that will be a major leap forward in carbon fibre technology.
The aerospace industry uses ultra-precise manufacturing methods to build highly tailored carbon fibre structures for the latest generation of air jetliners and fighter aircraft, and McLaren has developed a rapid pace, 'high rate' version of this production method that is now integrated into its manufacturing capabilities.
Called Automated Rapid Tape (ART), it enhances McLaren road cars with carbon fibre structures that are optimised to be even lighter, stiffer, and stronger, as well as being produced with even greater consistency from part to part, and produced in a manner that generates less waste material. The resulting ART carbon fibre forms are also visually distinct from conventional hand-cut pre-impregnated carbon fibre components.
The ART technology also enables tailored fibre placement, unlocks new ways to design highly loaded, complex aerodynamic components, and allows for optimised strength-to-weight. In addition, it offers advantages in manufacturing time and reduced costs.
And this technology is already in a McLaren vehicle, more specifically, the McLaren W1. The fixed plane within the active front wing assembly, an integral part of the car's extraordinary aerodynamic package that can generate up to 1,000kg of downforce, is manufactured from McLaren ART carbon, which makes it up to 10% stiffer than a comparable pre-impregnated part.
Every single McLaren ever has been based on a carbon fibre monocoque, maximising the benefits of this lightweight, strong, and durable material in body structures and aerodynamic systems. And now, McLaren has developed a world-first application of a highly specialised manufacturing process in the automotive sector that will be a major leap forward in carbon fibre technology.
The aerospace industry uses ultra-precise manufacturing methods to build highly tailored carbon fibre structures for the latest generation of air jetliners and fighter aircraft, and McLaren has developed a rapid pace, 'high rate' version of this production method that is now integrated into its manufacturing capabilities.
Called Automated Rapid Tape (ART), it enhances McLaren road cars with carbon fibre structures that are optimised to be even lighter, stiffer, and stronger, as well as being produced with even greater consistency from part to part, and produced in a manner that generates less waste material. The resulting ART carbon fibre forms are also visually distinct from conventional hand-cut pre-impregnated carbon fibre components.
The ART technology also enables tailored fibre placement, unlocks new ways to design highly loaded, complex aerodynamic components, and allows for optimised strength-to-weight. In addition, it offers advantages in manufacturing time and reduced costs.
And this technology is already in a McLaren vehicle, more specifically, the McLaren W1. The fixed plane within the active front wing assembly, an integral part of the car's extraordinary aerodynamic package that can generate up to 1,000kg of downforce, is manufactured from McLaren ART carbon, which makes it up to 10% stiffer than a comparable pre-impregnated part.
Latest COE Prices
April 2025 | 1st BIDDING
NEXT TENDER: 23 Apr 2025
CAT A$97,724
CAT B$117,899
CAT C$68,782
CAT E$117,002
View Full Results 
Thank You For Your Subscription.
