Technical Absorbents
Techtextil Frankfurt

Free membership

Receive our weekly Newsletter
and set tailored daily news alerts.

Composites

Autoneum develops new lightweight underfloor system made of Ultra-Silent for SUVs

The underfloor version made of the textile material Ultra-Silent was developed especially for sport utility vehicles.

25th May 2016

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Winterthur

Transport/​Aerospace, Sustainable

Due to strong customer demand, Autoneum, a leading producer of vehicle acoustics, has developed a special version of its lightweight underfloor systems made of Ultra-Silent for sport utility vehicles (SUV).

With this innovation, Autoneum aims to make a contribution to the weight and noise reduction of these globally sought-after vehicle models and also improve their aerodynamics. This simultaneously serves to reduce the fuel consumption and COâ‚‚ emissions of SUVs, the company reports.

Supporting SUV manufacturers

With the underfloor version made of the textile material Ultra-Silent developed especially for sport utility vehicles, Autoneum aims to further expand its position as a market leader in vehicle underfloor systems.

This product innovation from Autoneum is designed to support SUV manufacturers in the development and production of lighter, quieter and more fuel efficient models, thus also making a significant contribution toward compliance with statutory noise and emissions provisions.

At the same time, Ultra-Silent underfloor systems are said to meet the high requirements of cross-country mobility and enhance the driving comfort of SUVs. Autoneum is already producing Ultra-Silent underfloor systems in series for first European SUV manufacturers.

Lightweight components

With Ultra-Silent, Autoneum is said to offer one of the most lightweight textile underfloor systems for vehicles. According to the manufacturer, they are up to 50% lighter compared with equivalent components made of plastic.

Underfloor systems made of Ultra-Silent also offer a high degree of impact resistance and optimum stone chip protection. The mono-material consisting of glass-free PET is resistant against water and heat and in addition fully recyclable. At the same time, it absorbs sound and in doing so reduces the vehicle noise by up to two decibels, according to the company.

The new special version of lightweight underfloor systems made of Ultra-Silent were developed for sport utility vehicles (SUV). © Autoneum

In addition, underfloor systems made of Ultra-Silent are said to enhance the aerodynamics of SUVs by reducing their air resistance by around 8%. This is said to help improve fuel consumption and thereby reduce CO2 emissions.

Production and markets

Autoneum, with its headquarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, is the leading producer of vehicle acoustics and thermal management systems. The company develops and manufactures components, modules and complete systems for interior and engine bay as well as heatshields and underbody shields. Customers include leading automobile producers in the key markets of Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

Since 2009, Autoneum has been producing textile underbody and under engine shields made of Ultra-Silent for the European market. So far, more than five million vehicles of European and Japanese customers have been equipped with these products.

In Europe, the lightweight components are manufactured among others at Autoneum’s Swiss plant in Sevelen. The global rollout of Ultra-Silent outside Europe started in 2015 in North America.

www.autoneum.com

Latest Reports

Business intelligence for the fibre, textiles and apparel industries: technologies, innovations, markets, investments, trade policy, sourcing, strategy...

Find out more