2015 Abarth 695 Biposto features SABIC lightweight PC glazing solutions; 40% weight savings

5 December 2014

Abarth’s production model of the 695 Biposto includes polycarbonate (PC) glazing solutions from SABIC. The vehicle’s front fixed windows, which include built-in sliding panels, are made from SABIC’s LEXAN resin, a PC material, and EXATEC coating technology.

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The Abarth 695 Biposto features front fixed windows, which include built-in sliding panels, made from SABIC’s LEXAN resin, a PC material, and EXATEC coating technology. Click to enlarge.

The EXATEC glazing system involves applying protective coating layers on the LEXAN resin-based windows. First, a hard coat is applied to the thermoplastic windows to ensure resistance to sunlight UV exposure. A glass-like plasma coating is then applied over the hard coat, which delivers an advanced level of protection for scratch and abrasion resistance. This not only enhances the weatherability of the hard coat layer, but delivers the performance necessary to meet regulatory standards.

The fixed front windows with sliding panels are features straight from the world of racing and is applied to the Abarth 695 Biposto to help transfer the racing experience of the Abarth brand to the on-road car market. SABIC’s EXATEC coating makes this possible because it is the one solution available today that meets European regulatory requirements for transparency, scratch and abrasion resistance for PC-based vehicle windows.

Isoclima, a supplier with twenty years of experience working with some of the racing world’s biggest teams, developed the sliding window concept and assembled the fully glazed windows. In addition to providing the glazing materials and technology, SABIC delivered support in the ideation and development phase of the project.

SABIC’s PC glazing solutions makes possible up to 40% in weight savings for the front fixed window and sliding panel compared to conventional glass. These savings adds to a number of other weight-reducing measures to help the Abarth 695 Biposto weigh in at just 997 kilograms (2,198 lbs). The weight loss adds to the sporting character of the car, boosting its performance.

The car’s low weight combined with its 1.4 T-Jet engine tuned to 140 kW (190 hp) and 250 N·m (184 lb-ft) has resulted in a small car that finishes first in its category with the best weight-to-power ratio (5.2 kg/HP) and the best acceleration (0-62 mph or 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds). The car can reach a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).