First composite material coil springs (GFRP - glass fibre reinforced polymer) patented by Sogefi and developed with Audi will guarantee the new car a weight reduction of 4.4 kg
Milan, September 15 2014 - Sogefi, the automotive components company of the CIR group, will produce the first composite suspension springs for the new Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra (140kW). Audi is the first car manufacturer in the world to roll out the new technology developed with Sogefi to the market in mass production. The suspension springs will guarantee the A6 Avant 2.0 a weight reduction of approximately 4.4 kilograms compared to traditional technology, giving lower fuel consumption, greater driving precision and more comfort.
Sogefi, a world leader in engine systems and flexible components for suspension systems, patented this composite coil spring which weighs between 40 and 70% less than springs made from the traditional steel. The new springs can be mounted on cars and light commercial vehicles with no change to the suspension system, guaranteeing the vehicle a weight reduction of 4-6 kilograms (depending on the type of vehicle and the design of the spring) and a significantly reduced unsprung mass, thus improving driving precision. The replacement of steel by materials that are not subject to corrosion also guarantees a lower noise level and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions (up to — 0.5 g per km).
These new composite springs also guarantee a lower impact of the production process on the environment than is traditionally the case. This is because producing these springs requires less energy with a resulting reduction in CO2 emissions.
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Sogefi Sogefi (CIR group), founded in 1980 and listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, is a company which operates in the automotive components sector in two business areas in which it is a world leader: the development and production of flexible suspension components and systems for managing, filtering and cooling engine fluids. Present in 21 countries with 43 production plants and 17 commercial offices, Sogefi is partner to the most important vehicle construction companies worldwide. The group is a leader in Europe and South America in its core businesses, operating in the original equipment market and the OE and independent aftermarket. Thanks to its commitment to research, Sogefi has been continually improving the technological development of its parts, optimizing their performance in terms of life cycle, effectiveness, size, weight and compatibility with the environment. In 2013 the Sogefi group reported revenues of approximately 1.3 billion euro. For information visit the website www.sogefigroup.com.
Contacts:
Investor Relations
Giancarlo Coppa
Laura Pennino
tel.: +39 02 46750218
www.sogefigroup.com
CIR Group Communication Department
Salvatore Ricco
Mariella Speciale
tel.: +39 02 722701
e-mail: infostampa@cirgroup.com
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