Constellium N.V. signed a contract with Audi to supply aluminium automotive body sheet, as well as structural components for the new Audi A7 Sportback — extending the two companies long term partnership. The company will be the primary supplier of automotive body sheet for the A7, which embodies Audi’s new design language with particularly dynamic lines and a sporty character.
“We are proud and excited to support Audi in translating their design language for the new generation A7 model with the supply of our special aluminium outer solutions,” said Dieter Hoell, director Sales and Marketing, Automotive & Specialties for Constellium. “This reflects the close collaboration we have with our long-time customer Audi, and with their Neckarsulm, Germany, plant, which uses aluminium extensively.”
Audi A7 Sportback
Produced at the Audi Neckarsulm, Germany, plant, the 2018 Audi A7 is designed to have the style of a coupé and the spaciousness of a sedan, thus providing more space and comfort with a dynamic roofline. The body features steel and aluminum composite construction, with large components such as add-on parts made of aluminum — a key factor in the improved handling and greater comfort. The A7 Sportback provides excellent body stiffness, aeroacoustics, and aerodynamics.
As the primary supplier of aluminium body sheet, Constellium will be providing the coils to be used for the outer design applications, such as the doors, hood, fenders, and deck lids that incorporate large surfaces, sharp edges, and taut lines. The company achieved the design and forms with its Surfalex® aluminum alloy sheet, with high surface quality and specific hemming and roping properties, which allow three-dimensional shapes and is ideally suited for the dynamic body style of this new model.
Constellium also supplies aluminium structural components for the Audi A7, including struts and cross members. These custom solutions are designed to meet package space and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) requirements, while contributing to the stiffness of the vehicle.
The A7 comes with a new mild hybrid system (MHEV) on all of its engine options to provide greater efficiency. With two V6 engines, this uses a 48-volt primary electrical system, in which a belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery.
The new Audi A7 Sportback rolls off the assembly line at the Neckarsulm site and will launch on the German market in late February 2018.