CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/532917
JULY 2015 34 CompositesWorld INSIDE MANUFACTURING manufacturers of premium sports cars, their frst nameplate, Iceni, bears the name of a Norfolk-based Celtic tribe that, for a time under the leadership of Queen Boadicea, led an uprising that routed the Roman invaders and drove them out of southeast Romano Britain. Time will tell if the name proves prophetic. Options, options, options! Although the Iceni is intended as a testament to Trident's technical capabilities and developmental achievements in the powertrain arena, it is no less important to the company that it have enormous appeal as an automotive achievement. Currently, Trident ofers two basic Iceni models: A convertible that features a unique spine/ rollbar that extends rearward from its windshield to its seatbacks, and the Magna, which has a fastback coupé design that features a full roll cage (see photos on p. 33). 4 When each layer of reinforcement is in place, unsaturated polyester resin is carefully hand applied in a laminating step. The goal is to avoid adding too much resin, which otherwise could cause cracking. During this step, fanges and other hardware are also bonded into parts. 1 Single-sided composite tooling receives a coating of wax prior to start of layup. 3 The reinforcement is hand cut, using paper templates, then layed up into the tool. 2 Depending on mechanical requirements in each area of a given part, either a chopped fberglass mat (right) and/or a woven fberglass fabric (left) is used. company's torque-multiplication technology and either of Trident's own six-speed automatic or manual transmissions, would use a mere 4L/100 km. If well executed, they reasoned, this frst example would ease technology translation to commer- cial and military vehicles. Hence, they assembled a team of 30 to build very green sports cars and commercial vehicles. Along the way, they acquired and subsequently modifed the name and logo of another automotive icon — a British car company from the 1960s and 1970s called Trident Cars Ltd. — and set up shop in the Norfolk area, also home to another automotive icon, Group Lotus PLC. Unlike its neighbor, which turns out around 7,000 cars a year, Trident's goal was to build as many as 500 truly bespoke cars annually that would be as easy on the environment as they were on the eyes. In a consciously ironic nod to certain Italian