Operating as an entity outside of the company’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory (ACSL) is responsible for unlocking new potential in carbon fibre. The breakthroughs that take place here go on to influence developments in Lamborghinis of the future. The official opening of the new ACSL also marks the 30th anniversary of Lamborghini’s use of carbon fibre reinforced polymer in its supercars.
“Carbon fibre is a material that Lamborghini has a long history with. Starting with the Countach Quattrovalvole and continuing today, it is one of the most important keys to the success of our cars in the past, present and future,” said Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
Seattle is a strategic location for the ACSL, particularly because of its collaboration with Boeing in working toward carbon fibre innovations that are beneficial in both automotive and aerospace applications.
Forged Composite is one of the most important developments to come from research within the ACSL, shortening the production time required to form components compared with traditional labour techniques.
The technology made its debut in 2010 with the Sesto Elemento limited-series supercar, where it served in a structural capacity and as proof of how capable the rapid-formed material is. Such continued refinements in the manufacturing process have allowed Lamborghini to enhance its finished product for structural and aesthetical applications in 2013.
Lamborghini’s dedication to leading the industry in carbon fibre innovation goes beyond material development through the ACSL to find and recruit young, talented engineers from around the world.
Lamborghini launched the latest car to showcase its mastery of carbon fibre at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The Centenario has a body made of fully exposed carbon fibre. Meant to mark what would have been company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini’s 100th birthday, the Centenario is a marriage between acknowledgements of past milestones and technological firsts. 
Check out the carbon fibre wheels of the Ford GT.
