Photo: Lincoln
Lincoln has announced that 2014 MKX crossover will feature interior parts made out of Cellulose Reinforced Polypropylene (CRP), a new tree-based material which is lighter and more eco-friendly than the usual fiberglass components.
The new material - which is the result of a three-year collaboration between Lincoln, sustainable solutions pioneer Weyerhaeuser and auto parts supplier Johnson Controls - replaces the fiberglass used in the floor console armrest substrate, a structural piece located within the center console armrest.
The Lincoln MKX is the first production vehicle to feature CRP parts, which were previously fitted only to Ford Motor Company prototype cars. Lincoln says future vehicles could get more CRP interior parts in the future.
"If we transfer its use to larger parts, it could really benefit the vehicle weight, which benefits fuel economy. Cellulose has good reinforcement, so we looked at fiberglass-reinforced materials for this project," said Ellen Lee, plastics research technical expert for Ford.
Production of the 2014 Lincoln MKX will begin early next year.
The Lincoln MKX is the first production vehicle to feature CRP parts, which were previously fitted only to Ford Motor Company prototype cars. Lincoln says future vehicles could get more CRP interior parts in the future.
"If we transfer its use to larger parts, it could really benefit the vehicle weight, which benefits fuel economy. Cellulose has good reinforcement, so we looked at fiberglass-reinforced materials for this project," said Ellen Lee, plastics research technical expert for Ford.
Production of the 2014 Lincoln MKX will begin early next year.
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