BMW Announces Lightweight Initiative

BMW Lightweight Brake Concept

BMW held their yearly "Innovation Days" last week and introduced a number of intriguing concepts to reduce weight on their vehicles. The photo above shows a gigantic brake rotor that actually weighs less than its smaller, conventional counterpart because the increase in diameter and surface area means that it can be made thinner and lighter without sacrificing any capability to stop the vehicle or wear more quickly. Of course, you have to have a honking big wheel to fit over it.

Lightweight means quicker performance, better handling, better fuel economy, etc. It's a very good thing but hard to achieve while maintaining safety & reliability. BMW is on the right track. The showcase new designs for body panels, wheels, seats, and more.

See BMWBlog.com for the complete press release and lots of photos.