Prepreg materials from Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM) – a Division of Umeco plc, have been used by French automotive design and parts manufacturer Applications Composites to manufacture the driver’s shell of the Citroen Survolt, a new, stylish, high performance, 100% electric drivetrain, concept car.
 
Applications Composites used ACG’s BPS240 composite body panel system to mould the central driver’s shell. BPS240 has been specifically developed for the rapid processing of complex automotive parts, readily creating the distinctive sweeping curves and angular return features with a paint-ready finish directly from the mould.
 
ACG's carbon fibre composite BPS240 Body Panel System has become the material of choice for painted carbon body panels throughout the automotive industry. BPS240 is a ZPREG® rapid deposition system with a stable, high temperature and integrated surface film capable of producing ‘Class A’ surfaces for both low and high bake paint systems, while also having the ability to maintain this standard in service.
 
BPS240 panels can be moulded from high quality composite or metallic tooling, reducing manufacturing times by as much as 80% compared with traditional carbon prepreg materials. Further significant cycle time and cost reductions are possible if the material is processed using matched die compression moulding techniques.
 
Making its first appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, the stunning Citroen Survolt made its moving debut at Le Mans Classic. With Vanina Ickx, daughter of Belgian Formula One driver Jacky Ickx, at the wheel, the Survolt was put through its paces on the famous Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans.
 
Citroen has motorsport ambitions for the electric-powered concept car. The Survolt’s 300bhp electric motors are capable of powering the carbon-fibre bodied hatch from 0-62mph in less than 5.0 seconds and on to a maximum speed in excess of 160mph, which should make it fast enough to provide a stunning performance in the company’s proposed one-make race series.