More and more automakers are beginning to adopt aluminum over steel, and for good reason. Aluminum has many advantages over steel, including lighter weight, better absorption of crash energy, and better corrosion resistance. But while some car companies are making headlines with their announcement to adopt an aluminum platform, Audi has been working with the lightweight material for decades. This short blog will give you an overview of Audi’s history with aluminum, and help you find an Audi aluminum repair shop in Utah if your luxury German automobile is in need of auto body repair.
Audi and Alcoa
Audi has been researching ways to reduce body weight since 1954, when they looked into the possibility of using plastic for the car’s body. In 1991, Audi unveiled the Quattro Spyder, a sports coupe that caused a massive sensation thanks to its aluminum body. This was around the same time Audi struck a partnership with the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) with the intention of developing production-ready aluminum-bodied cars.
A Major Milestone
In the years that followed, Audi realized its dream of mass-producing aluminum-bodied cars, including the Audi A2 and A8 in the mid-90s. Then, in 2002, Audi reached a major milestone when it produced its 150,000 th aluminum car. That success has continued, with such models as the A6, A7, A8, and R8 featuring Audi’s state-of-the-art aluminum Space Frame® .
If you drive an Audi that features partial or full aluminum construction, there’s only one collision repair shop in the state to trust with auto body repairs : Dave’s Body Shop. We are the only Audi Aluminum Certified Shop in Utah, which means we handle Audi aluminum body repairs better than anyone else in the state. If you have questions, please call us at (801) 762-8921.