Webbed Wonders: The Next Generation of Supercars with Spider Silk

A Dream Car - In the realm of automotive innovation, the landscape is constantly evolving. Traditionally, premium cars have been constructed using cutting-edge materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum. However, have you ever considered the possibility of a supercar made from spider silk? Surprisingly, this eight-legged creature's silk, long studied by scientists, holds the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry.

The Velozi Hypercar is set to be crafted by Spidey Tek, a cutting-edge biotech company operating in Utah and California, harnessing the power of spider silk.` (Picture from: Autoweek)

The concept of utilizing spider silk in car manufacturing may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but recent developments suggest otherwise. As reported by Supercarblondie, some global automotive players are exploring the use of spider silk as a raw material. In the United States, a company based in Utah and California, known for its groundbreaking approach, aims to create a supercar using spider silk.

This eight-legged creature's silk, long studied by scientists, holds the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry. (Picture from: SCMP)

Spidey Tek, a biotech company, is spearheading the mass production of spider silk for industrial applications. Leveraging advanced research and insights from Utah State University's Synthetic Biomanufacturing Facility, the company ingeniously grows proteins by infusing them into alfalfa. Once grown, these proteins are extracted, woven into fibers, and combined with carbon fiber, resulting in a composite material with remarkable strength and flexibility.

Spidey Tek aims to achieve an ambitious goal of producing 100 naturally-aspirated, V12-powered two-seater supercars within the next four to five years. (Picture from: Autoweek)

The ambitious goal of Spidey Tek is to produce 100 naturally-aspirated, V12-powered two-seater supercars. The creator, Roberto Velozzi, envisions his creation to be the strongest and lightest supercar ever, boasting a hefty price tag of $3 million. Although the 2024 launch may have been missed, the team aims to deliver these extraordinary supercars within the next three to four years.

The Velozi Hypercar is touted as the strongest and lightest supercar ever, flaunting a substantial price tag of $3 million. (Picture from: Autoweek)

Spider silk's unique properties, including high strength, elasticity, and toughness, have attracted interest not only from the automotive industry but also from aerospace companies and the medical field. Velozzi has partnered with Dr. Randy Lewis of Utah State University to apply spider silk's qualities to the Velozzi Hypercar, blending it with carbon fiber for an even more robust material. This blend will be the building blocks for the body and chassis of the V12-powered, six-speed manual transmission two-seater.

The automaker aims to bring to life its vision of a synergistic relationship between carbon fiber and spider silk, crafting an enhanced composite for the next generation of high-performance, efficient, and resilient vehicles. (Picture from: Supercarblondie)

Velozzi emphasizes the unparalleled characteristics of spider silk, stating, "Gram-for-gram, certain spider-silk fibers can be stronger than titanium and more elastic than rubber." He envisions a synergistic relationship between carbon fiber and spider silk, creating an enhanced composite for the next generation of high-performance, efficient, and resilient vehicles.

While this spider-silk supercar is still several years away from becoming a reality, the mere idea of a revolutionary biomaterial shaping the future of automotive engineering is undeniably intriguing. As Autoweek suggests, even though this concept is "at least four to five years" away, the anticipation of a spider silk-made dream car adds an extra layer of excitement to the automotive landscape. Imagine the thrill of having a truly wild ride – a dream car spun from the silk of a spider. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VELOZI | AUTOWEEK | SUPERCARBLONDIE | WEALTHOFGEEKS | SCMP ]

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