Lighting technologies, electronics, powertrain, exhaust system and suspensions: all of the Magneti Marelli technological areas will be featured on the most important new car models presented at the 64th IAA in Frankfurt that will end on September the 25th.
Special focus on the Fiat Panda, one of the most awaited cars. The third edition of this extremely popular model also fits plenty of Magneti Marelli technology: from headlamps to rear lights, from electronics to exhaust systems, from powertrain components to suspensions. The headlamps are the halogen type with DRL (Daytime Running Light) function, and they definitely contribute to the styling of the front of the car. On the dashboard, odometer and engine rpm counter are displayed in an instrument cluster with analogue and digital technology in which the service lights are arranged.
As far as engines are concerned, Magneti Marelli manufactures the intake manifolds and ECUs for the 1.3 SDE (Small Diesel Engine) with 75HP, for the petrol-powered 1.2 8V and for the 900 Twin Air turbo running on petrol with 85HP, which also fits electronics to manage the recovery of energy used by the Stop& Start system. Magneti Marelli also supplies the exhaust systems (hot and cold end) for these engines. All the new Panda versions fit suspensions and shock absorbers designed and made by Magneti Marelli.
As for Fiat, three world previews by Abarth has been presented in Frankfurt. The 500 Cabrio Italia will be produced in a limited series of 150 cars to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification and, just like the new Punto SuperSport and the 965 Competizione, based on the 500 Assetto Corsa, it will fit the Abarth Blue&Me MAP navigator with Telemetry function developed with Magneti Marelli and the Abarth Competizione gearbox, an electro-driven mechanical transmission with steering wheel controls offering quick gear changes. Moreover, the instrument cluster with an extremely sporty look of the 965 Competizione will bear the Jaeger name, one of Magneti Marelli legendary brands.
For the Alfa Romeo MiTo, the new version of the Quadrifoglio Verde 1.4 Multiair 170 HP is certainly worthy of mention. This version is equipped with Dynamic Suspension, the shock absorber electronic control system developed with Magneti Marelli that interacts with the DNA system. The MiTo Twin Air is also in Frankfurt with its 900 cc turbo gasoline-powered 85 Hp engine, for which Magneti Marelli supplies the engine electronic control unit.
In Frankfurt, Magneti Marelli is also present with the instrument clusters fitted on the new supercar Porsche 911. The new instrument cluster debuts on the seventh-generation 911, featuring the traditional design with five circular elements that combines all information useful for the driver: rev counter, speedometer, water and oil temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level indicator. One of the dials in particular consists of a latest-generation reconfigurable 4.6” TFT (Thin Film Transistor) display that shows navigation-related information and infotainment functions, and has a built-in amplified speaker.
The Ferrari 458 Spider sports Magneti Marelli’s innovative technologies, such as the instrument cluster with rev counter and display for the selected gear in the centre, while the TFT screen on the right hand side, which can take on different colours, displays the info-telematic node with navigation, infotainment and telephone functions, the digital speedometer and the parking camera. To the left of the instrument cluster, on the other hand, we find the screen dedicated to Vehicle Dynamic Assistance management. Magneti Marelli also supplies the rear lights with LED technology, featuring an outer crown of 24 red LEDs for parking and brake lights, and an inner crown of 16 yellow LEDs (red for the US version) for the indicator lights.
The 458 Spider is also equipped with the Superlift system, supplied by Magneti Marelli, that helps the car overcome obstacles in the road. Through a system of hydraulic actuators, a pump operated by an electrical motor and an ECU, Superlift actually lifts the car on the front axle.
For the new Citroën DS5, Magneti Marelli supplies the rear LED lights and the new navigation system called eMyWay, which uses Bluetooth technology for hands-free telephone communication, and for the Media Player with USB port that plays music in multimedia format. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you can play audio files stored on other devices in the car in wireless mode. eMyWay is both radio and satellite navigator, with Traffic information (TMC) and a high-definition, high-luminosity 7” screen that stores all European maps on an internal SD, for navigation even with no GPS signal. eMyWay also features a built-in rear camera whose images are displayed on the screen. Another important piece of equipment fitted on the Citroën DS5 is the e-touch system. For this device, Magneti Marelli supplies a “telematic box”, in other words the control unit that authorizes use of in-vehicle services, such as emergency calls and road assistance requests.
The Citroën DS5 2.0L HDi also fit the Magneti Marelli Freechoice AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), managed by an electronic control system that ensures the highest comfort with significant savings in fuel consumption and the consequent reduction in polluting emissions.
The new Volkswagen UP! GDI 1.0 three-cylinder fits the instrument cluster by Magneti Marelli. The Volkswagen Beetle, on the other hand, fits an instrument cluster with single-colour TFT (Thin Film Transistor) display. The Magneti Marelli instrument clusters are also assembled on the Audi A5.
Automotive Lighting technologies are widely used on the new Mercedes Benz B-Class, with halogen, bi-xenon and AFX (Adaptive Frontlighting System with adaptive high beam function). Bi-Xenon and AFX versions are equipped with LED turn indicator and position function in LED –lightguide technology. Also, lighting technologies on the Audi A5 restyling (halogen, bi-xenon and bi-xenon with AFS headlamps and LED rear lights), Honda Civic (halogen, bi-xenon headlamps and LED rear lights), BMW 6 Series (bi-xenon and bi-xenon AFS headlamps), Mercedes Benz M-Class (halogen, Xenon AFX-modul with adaptive high beam and optional LED infrared high beam for night view systems, cornering, turn indicator and position light with LED light sources) and on the Mini Coupè (xenon headlamps with AFS).
Still speaking of lighting applications, the full-LED solutions used by Mercedes Benz on the CLS, Audi R8 and Audi A7 Sportback are also on display in Frankfurt.
The use of LEDs and Xenon solutions has led to a technological evolution that has paved new roads on the topic of safety, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, at the same time allowing designers greater freedom.
