An article from Popular Mechanics today highlights Ferrari’s commitment to increasing the aluminum content of its vehicles for weight reduction while other luxury and performance car makers are leaning toward carbon fibers. 

According to the article, Ferrari sees aluminum as better suited for production and is taking advantage of improvements in casting technologies to achieve walls as thin as 2 mm. The use of metal matrix composites also will help reduce car weight.

The article reminded us of an aluminum engine cradle for the Cadillac CTS that was converted from steel which achieved a 40% mass reduction and 2.2 lb. weight savings.

Aluminum’s been in manufacturing for more than 150 years, but Ferrari’s experience shows it’s still cutting edge.