Parigi ‐ Sogefi, the automotive components company of the CIR group, has fitted with its new suspension springs in composite material (GFRP‐glass fiber reinforced polymer) the Peugeot 208 HYbrid Air 2L concept car, which is on display to the public at the international Paris Motor Show. 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. (9colonne)
