Leading auto component
manufacturer MagnetiMarelli is taking part in the 13th edition of
Auto China that opens to the public on April 23, 2014. The show is held every
two years in Beijing. MagnetiMarelli has an exhibition area demonstrating the
ability to supply the car makers worldwide and highlighting the cutting-edge
technologies in all areas of the company's business: lighting, powertrain
control, electronic systems, suspensions, shock absorbers, plastic modules,
exhaust systems, motorsport and aftermarket, said a company statement.
Once again, the dominant theme of
the exhibition in Beijing will be “green” technologies for sustainable
mobility, in view of a regulatory framework in China that will, in the near
future, impose more stringent limits on vehicles in terms of pollution and
emissions.
Among the various technological
advances designed to offer solutions to the environmental sustainability issue,
hybrid-electric propulsion solutions will take on increasing importance, albeit
with relatively low percentage rates compared to the overall market. The
average annual growth for electric or hybrid propulsion vehicles is estimated to
increase by 96% in 2016 (source: IHS data April 2014), starting from production
volumes that in 2013 amounted to over 31,500 units.
In this context, MagnetiMarelli
will exhibit at Auto China its cutting-edge solutions representing “long term”
technological principles and methods, tested in motor sport with KERS (Kinetic
Energy Recovery System) and other electrical solutions for energy recovery,
applied for the first time in “series” with the solutions provided by the
HY-KERS hybrid system of “La Ferrari”.
In particular, MagnetiMarelli is
aiming at the market areas of the highest growth rate for hybrid-electric
solutions, those of medium and low voltage: the “medium” hybrid solution with
350 volts and 60 kilowatts of power and the48 volt “compact” will in fact be
exhibited at stand W01 in Pavillon W1, low-voltage solutions with a power of
less than 16 kW, extremely flexible and easily applicable to internal
combustion engines, with limited impact on the system.
In addition, a technological
solution will also be displayed that represents the ideal synthesis of the
technological transfer process between “racing” and the “road”, combining two
innovations tested by MagnetiMarelli at different times on the world's most
important tracks: the electro-actuated gearbox and the KERS. MagnetiMarelli has
in fact developed a solution for standard production cars that connects an
electric motor generator to an automatic gearbox: the electric motor produces
torque during the gear change and at the same time helps to reduce fuel
consumption. This prototype represents MagnetiMarelli cutting edge technology
with regard to Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) which for nearly two decades
has been an effective solution for transmission, combining ease of use, reduced
fuel consumption and emissions, the application of any manual transmission and
production costs that are lower than the conventional automatic transmission
systems.
In Beijing, the latest generation
AMT aimed at the Chinese market will also be presented.
Following in the wake of
track-road osmosis, GDI direct injection systems (Gasoline Direct Injection)
complete the powertrain technology field andwill be presented at Auto China.
With their recent application in Formula 1, they see the prospect of fuel
pressures raised even further - with a limit of up to 600 bar - and they are
therefore even more effective in the reduction of particulate matter, as well
as contributing to downsizing of the engine coupled with the turbo.
The automotive lighting
technologies will also be more and more able to make a contribution in terms of
eco-sustainability, as well as safety and design. Within this framework,
MagnetiMarelli, with its dedicated Automotive Lighting area of business, also
brings “E-Light” technology, recently recognised as “Eco-Innovation” by the
European Union, to Beijing. “E-Light”is a low beam LED module that allows
energy savings with a superior lighting performance: consuming about 1/6 less
than a regular halogen bulb (11 Watts instead of 68 Watts). The European
Community has recognised “E-Light” as Eco-Innovation, able to ensure car maker
that will be adopting it a saving of 1 g CO2/km, in view of the
stringent European emission regulations which will come into effect in 2020 and
which will impose a limit of 95 g CO2/km on Manufacturing
Companies.
In addition to E-Light Automotive
Lighting displays the best of its technological leadership in terms of
automotive lighting. Among the various applications exhibited there will be the
Matrix Beam module, a high beam LED with an adaptive system for directing the
light beam through the selective activation of six LEDs; the adaptive full-LED
headlamp for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class; the full-LED headlamp adopted by
Peugeot for the new 308, European “Car of the Year 2014”.
As in previous editions, a
darkroom will also be set up at the MagnetiMarelli stand where, in an
environment that recreates a night road situation, various lighting
technologies for cars may also be viewed with a simulator and a 3D video that
visually displays the characteristics of the Matrix Beam module.
Completing the field of
“sustainable mobility” at the exhibition area there will also be two simulators
with the “Electronic Horizon”and the “Fuel Economy Assistant” applications,
both of which are aimed at optimising consumption. “Electronic Horizon” is a
driving assistance technology that acts as a “cruise control” with variable
speeds, continuously optimising engine management and gear change. In fact the
simulator exhibited in Beijing will illustrate the electronic horizon function
as a facilitator for vehicle-functions aimed at safety and reduced consumption.
On the other hand, the simulator dedicated to the “Fuel Economy Assistant”
illustrates a set of strategies for powertrain management in real driving
conditions, aimed at achieving significant energy savings.
Moving on to the other
MagnetiMarelli technologies present at Pavilion W1 (stand W01), the field of
electronic systems will see for the first time a full range of analogue and
digital instrument panels to satisfy, in a targeted and customised manner, the
technological requirements for all car models, from budget to premium versions.
At the stand there will be two
multimedia totems dedicated to the infotainment systems developed by
MagnetiMarelli for BMW and Peugeot and adaptable according to the demands of
car manufacturers. Another totem will be dedicated to telecommunications with
technologies that allow for the connection of a car to the wide world of
communications networks, internet and services, mainly in order to regulate and
monitor their use and flows, optimising operating costs and emissions and to
bring on board value-added information and entertainment.
The Suspension Systems area
brings to Beijing, composite fibres technology, presenting examples of ultra
light materials used in the manufacture of suspension components. Among these
is the use of Hybrid FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) for construction of the
frontal suspension arms. In the field of shock absorbers, the 35 mm system used
on the Maserati Ghibli will be exhibited, which allows for greater flexibility
in defining the correct damping curve of the ruggedness of terrain, and the
Dual Stage Valve Piston Rod Assembly technology, an adaptive valve system
implemented electronically to harden the response of shock absorbers, according
to the driver's preferences.
To reduce emissions, the exhaust
system area has a module for the injection and mixing of exhaust gas for the
Selective Catalytic Reducer (SCR) system as well as solutions for sound
customisation according to the needs of the car manufacturer.
Together with the GP F1 in
Shanghai, the commitment of MagnetiMarelli in Motorsport sees its highest
expression in Formula 1, which represents the ideal bridge for the development
of large series technologies. Powertrain innovation, with Kinetic Energy
Recovery System (K-ERS) and Heat Energy Recovery
System (H-ERS) systems andthe Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) high
pressure modules in addition to the management of communications between box
cars thanks to the use of telemetric systems with transmission via WI-FI.
At Auto China are also exhibited
the components used during the China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) which
sees MagnetiMarelli Motorsport as the sole supplier of the data acquisition
system used by all the cars in the race. The data acquisition kit consists of
an electronic control unit (Data Logger), by a series of sensors installed on
the engine and on the chassis of the cars that allow the collection of data for
analysis balancing of the performance of the car as well as control of
compliance with the technical regulations.
Exhibition of technologies also
in the Plastic & Modules areas, with Pedals and Components, and Aftermarket
which in 2013 saw the official launch in China of the MagnetiMarelli
Aftermarket Parts & Services business area and the start of production of
MagnetiMarelli batteries made in China for the local market.
Source:
MagnetiMarelli