Carbon Fiber In Short Supply !! / ??

[Ragamuffin]

Oh, great ;now I read that carbon fiber is in short supply which translates into higher cost: which equals even more cost for the 2008 Dodge Challenger , if the hood is made like the Concept's ?!?!? If not, then I'm not sure of what extra weight a non-CB hood would add; and I know a fair number of people here and there have some concern over-weight issues !!! I am also wondering if CB will be used, then does/will Chrysler get CB from an outside supplier or can or does Chrysler have the ability to produce Carbon fiber in-house ? I don't know if this is a big deal or not ? The one ray of hope is the first comment posted below this article : http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/r...-short-supply/

[Cuda340]

When it was first announced that the Challenger would become a 2008 model, it was acknowledged that not all of the concept car's features would make it into production.

If I had to bet, I would say that the Challenger will have a (cheaper) steel hood, just like the Charger SRTs. So don't worry about the cost of carbon fiber.

[Ragamuffin]

Well, if a CB hood isn't utilized , that's not fair ;as they have teased us [again] with a very neat and unique feature. At the least a CB hood ought to be offered as an option !!!

[Cuda340]

Originally Posted by Ragamuffin

Well, if a CB hood isn't utilized , that's not fair ;as they have teased us [again] with a very neat and unique feature. At the least a CB hood ought to be offered as an option !!!

If it is not offered as an option, I am sure that the after market industry will produce one.

[Tails]

Originally Posted by Cuda340

If it is not offered as an option, I am sure that the after market industry will produce one.

It is my company and one in France that have cornered the market on Carbon Fiber. Our new 787 is being made almost totally from it. Hopefully the shortage is only short lived until manufacturing is increased.

[Handmouth]

Just how durable is carbon fiber? I know in the bicycle community it's nice but not as durable as steel or aluminum bikes.

When I buy the challenger I plan on keeping it a long time and I would be concerned about the longevity of the carbon fiber. I know the steel when properly cared for is for a life time.

[BJoe]

Carbon fiber is light and stiff, but doesn't bend or flex like metals and plastic do.

[ThisBlood147]

You guys should hope they don't use alot of CF on the new Challenger. That will only push costs upward. Even if it is used, I don't see it being used on anything other than the hood.

[Ragamuffin]

Originally Posted by ThisBlood147

You guys should hope they don't use alot of CF on the new Challenger. That will only push costs upward. Even if it is used, I don't see it being used on anything other than the hood.

Well, I'll have to admit that I am forgetting a bit . Just how much CF was used on the Challenger concept ? For some reason I thought just the hood was CF ! I just think that just the hood and maybe the rear deck lid should/could be of carbon fiber ? .. P.S. One thing I do seem to remember or now realize are these animation dudes to the right ; which seem to have moved positions !!!

[Cuda340]

Originally Posted by Ragamuffin

Well, I'll have to admit that I am forgetting a bit . Just how much CF was used on the Challenger concept ? For some reason I thought just the hood was CF ! I just think that just the hood and maybe the rear deck lid should/could be of carbon fiber ? .. P.S. One thing I do seem to remember or now realize are these animation dudes to the right ; which seem to have moved positions !!!

I believe only the hood was carbon fiber.