A body in black is the composite equivalent of a traditional metal body in white. It refers to a vehicle's core structural tub or shell made from carbon fiber reinforced polymers, before any paint, subframes, or interior components are attached. The term highlights the raw, black appearance of the woven carbon material and is primarily used in hypercar manufacturing and high-level motorsport.
The new hypercar's body in black weighs just 150 pounds but offers twice the torsional rigidity of the aluminum chassis.
Also heard as
- BIB
Related terms
Body in white
The welded sheet metal shell of a vehicle before painting, trim, or powertrain installation.
BIW
The structural shell of a vehicle before painting, trim, or subassemblies are added.
Unibody
A unibody is a vehicle construction method where the floor pan and body shell are welded into a single load-bearing structure.