MILA Blue combines lightweight construction, alternative
drive and emotional design
VIENNA, Austria, Feb. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Magna International Inc.
will showcase its diverse capabilities through the MILA Blue
vehicle concept at Geneva Motor Show 2014. MILA Blue is an
innovative, natural-gas powered, A-segment lightweight vehicle that
produces less than 49g CO2/km.
MILA Blue, the seventh concept vehicle in the MILA family,
represents a new, intelligent, lightweight design approach. As a
result of sophisticated interaction between an optimized vehicle
architecture and the latest lightweight design concepts, as well as
novel materials and joining technologies, MILA Blue achieves a
weight savings of 300kg compared to typical current A-segment
vehicles.
According to Günther Apfalter, President of Magna International
Europe, "As the automotive industry continues to look for ways to
become more environmentally friendly, Magna continues to leverage
its engineering expertise to bring our customers solutions that
meet their challenges. MILA Blue underscores our technological
competence in lightweight construction and alternative drives,
which help answer the demands of global CO2
reduction."
Intelligent Lightweight Design
MILA Blue's weight-reduction achievement is based on a holistic,
lightweight engineering concept that rests on three pillars:
- Functional integration - for example, replacing plastic
interior trim with structural parts suitably designed with
laminable, visually attractive surfaces.
- Material substitution - multi-material approach including
aluminum, magnesium and composite materials to deliver
cost-effective, innovative lightweight modules.
- Downsizing - leveraging smaller, lighter components while at
the same time maintaining function and performance.
Alternative Drive Concept
MILA Blue uses an alternative drive system, a compressed natural
gas hybrid drive that achieves a carbon footprint of less than 49g
CO2/km. Refueling with biogas instead of fossil-derived
natural gas can bring about an additional improvement in the carbon
footprint to < 36g CO2/km. The combustion engine is
coupled with an automatic manual transmission and a belt-driven
starter generator. Due to the vehicle's comparatively light weight,
crawling along in stop-and-go traffic and cruising up to 30km/h can
be done electrically using power from the vehicle's 12V-based
electric motor and start-stop system.
Emotional Design
Our most recent design concept, MILA Blue, translates innovative
lightweight design into a value-added experience. The four-seat
sporty lifestyle vehicle combines aesthetics and technology in an
unambiguous stylistic form representing lightness and aerodynamics.
The continuous window graphic in the area of the rear pillar
imparts a floating lightness onto the roof area. The characteristic
shape has a timeless elegance and embodies motion, even at rest.
The color scheme, in a fresh metallic blue, stands for purity and
highlights the environmentally friendly and sustainable approach of
this vehicle concept.
About Magna International
We are a leading global automotive supplier with 316
manufacturing operations and 84 product development, engineering
and sales centres in 29 countries. Our over 125,000 employees are
focused on delivering superior value to our customers through
innovative processes and World Class Manufacturing. Our product
capabilities include body, chassis, interiors, exteriors, seating,
powertrain, electronics, mirrors, closures and roof systems and
modules, as well as complete vehicle engineering and contract
manufacturing. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further
information about Magna, visit our website at www.magna.com
SOURCE Magna International Inc.
Image with caption: "Magna International will showcase its
diverse capabilities through the MILA Blue vehicle concept at
Geneva Motor Show 2014. As a result of sophisticated interaction
between an optimized vehicle architecture and the latest
lightweight design concepts, as well as novel materials and joining
technologies, MILA Blue achieves a weight savings of 300kg compared
to typical current A-segment vehicles. (CNW Group/Magna
International Inc.)". Image available at:
http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140226_C7366_PHOTO_EN_37147.jpg