PRESS RELEASE
Release date: 10th December 2014
Midlands firm points to future of car manufacturing
A Midlands manufacturing firm has pointed to the future of car manufacturing after unveiling two innovations that will positively change the way performance cars and eventually mass volume vehicles are manufactured and perform.
Design and development experts MarchantCain Design have launched two new performance car innovations built around active aerodynamics, which will improve the performance of new vehicles and increase their fuel efficiencies. The company used the international Advanced Engineering Show to demonstrate an advanced concept active aerodynamic system and a new active diffuser system. The projects, which have been in research and development at the company’s Coventry premises, are already attracting the attention of a number of niche automotive OEMs.
And MarchantCain has revealed that it will be demonstrating the innovative designs again at the forthcoming Autosport International Show at Birmingham NEC on January 9, during a workshop in conjunction with the Motorsport Industry Association.
Rob Marchant, Managing Director at MarchantCain explained how this cutting edge technology could be about to change the way vehicles are manufactured all over the globe. “There is now a drive to reduce the weight of vehicles while maintaining their overall functionality and performance. By deploying active aerodynamics, a vehicle can effectively add mass when it is required, while remaining lightweight and fuel efficient during normal operation,” he said.
“Active aerodynamics has been used in automotive design for many years when managing downforce and drag, but we are taking this technology further for niche vehicles and developing solutions that can be incorporated into mass produced vehicles; designing, prototyping and manufacturing our solutions from scratch.”
The company’s new concept active aerodynamic system is an example of innovative vehicle technology. The system controls downforce on supercars and allows a vehicle to modify aerodynamic forces to maintain optimum performance levels. In an industry-first move, the system is electronically actuated instead of necessitating the use of hydraulics, which makes it lighter and faster than existing systems, enabling vehicle manufacturers to meet lower emissions obligations.
MarchantCain’s unique new products have already caught the attention of German vehicle manufacturer Porsche, and its new underbody diffusers are already fitted to the Porsche 918 Spyder model. Active aerodynamics have the advantage of being able to be driver-deployed for driving at various speeds and conditions; to achieve minimum drag for lower fuel consumption; to balance drag for downforce and high driving stability at speed, and to produce maximum downforce for best performance. Rob Marchant is expecting these technologies to eventually cross into mainstream mass production vehicles, as cars become lighter for fuel efficiency, and smaller engines continue to produce enhanced performance.
Rob Marchant concluded: “We are already seeing cars manufactured bigger and heavier than before, and vehicle manufacturers are being challenged with making these fuel efficient and aerodynamic. Active aerodynamics enable a vehicle to effectively add mass when it is needed to enhance performance, without releasing too many harmful emissions. Mass reduction of cars is already underway – the Golf MK 6 was heavier than the MK7 in overall mass levels - and we believe that with the technologies we are bringing to the market, the future of vehicle manufacturing is high performance, streamlined, aerodynamic vehicles that are much kinder to the environment.
“We are also working on a number of other innovations which are likely to disrupt the norm and change future vehicle manufacturing for the better.”
MarchantCain
Design will be further showcasing its innovations and commenting on the future
of vehicle manufacturing at the forthcoming Autosport International Show at
Birmingham NEC being held between January 8-11 2015. During the exhibition,
Managing Director Rob Marchant will be hosting a workshop entitled ‘Thriving on
Innovative Solutions.’
- Ends -
About MarchantCain
MarchantCain is a
specialist design and development company based in Coventry, with facilities
for prototype and low volume manufacturing. The company thrives on providing
innovative solutions for a range of automotive challenges, specialising in
aerodynamics, door and window mechatronics including glass technology, and
choreography.
For more information,
contact Denise Taylor at Bridge on 02476520025, or email denise@bridgepr.co.uk.
Alternatively,
contact Pam Cain on 02476100321 or email pam@MarchantCain.co.uk