One of the cool technical details of Alfa Romeo (Giulia AND Stelvio) is the use of a CARBON FIBER driveshaft to transmit power to the rear wheels. Through Our Eyes: Carbon and Aluminum Drive Shaft Overview - theATTACK.rallysportdirect.com >Check out this link!<
Carbon fiber was chosen because it is lighter to achieve the perfect 50:50 weight balance and minimize the weight of the vehicle - improving fuel mileage and acceleration. Carbon fiber has less than half the spun weight of steel, meaning there is less inertia when slowing down and less resistance when accelerating making driver inputs feel more responsive (because they are). CF shafts have smaller diameter and greater tensile strength but also cost more than the usual steel or aluminum shafts. Also this gets more power to the wheels.
I have noticed a difference in 'the torsional spring rate' in day-to-day driving vs. other vehicles-- there is some play in the power to the rear wheels (feels like soft motor mounts) which I would attribute to a slight twisting in the shaft. However because there is a lower spin weight, the drivetrain is much more responsive (reflexive) to accelerator inputs and I have noticed affecting the braking action as the ZF 8-speed downshifts needing a little more attention to get a smooth stop (which many may be incorrectly attributing to the Continental braking system). Interesting to note the point that the torsional twisting actually prolongs the life of the other driveline components by absorbing some of stresses associated with enthusiastic driving habits.
Anyway, hope you find this interesting as I am. Here is another interesting link to a commercial site: Driveshaft Technology And Selecting The Proper Shaft For Your Ride - StangTV
Carbon fiber was chosen because it is lighter to achieve the perfect 50:50 weight balance and minimize the weight of the vehicle - improving fuel mileage and acceleration. Carbon fiber has less than half the spun weight of steel, meaning there is less inertia when slowing down and less resistance when accelerating making driver inputs feel more responsive (because they are). CF shafts have smaller diameter and greater tensile strength but also cost more than the usual steel or aluminum shafts. Also this gets more power to the wheels.
I have noticed a difference in 'the torsional spring rate' in day-to-day driving vs. other vehicles-- there is some play in the power to the rear wheels (feels like soft motor mounts) which I would attribute to a slight twisting in the shaft. However because there is a lower spin weight, the drivetrain is much more responsive (reflexive) to accelerator inputs and I have noticed affecting the braking action as the ZF 8-speed downshifts needing a little more attention to get a smooth stop (which many may be incorrectly attributing to the Continental braking system). Interesting to note the point that the torsional twisting actually prolongs the life of the other driveline components by absorbing some of stresses associated with enthusiastic driving habits.
Anyway, hope you find this interesting as I am. Here is another interesting link to a commercial site: Driveshaft Technology And Selecting The Proper Shaft For Your Ride - StangTV
