FAURECIA : unveils Performance 2.0, a full-size vehicle interior concept...

Frankfurt (Germany), September 10, 2013

At this week's Frankfurt Motor Show, Faurecia introduces a cabin-full of innovations addressing design, surfaces, connectivity and comfort, designed especially for mid-market models, the kinds of advancements previously found only in premium vehicles.
This collection of Faurecia technologies is showcased with the Performance 2.0 demonstrator, an interior concept with which the mainstream consumer can interact, as well as a redefinition of interior performance with an emphasis on light weight, refined materials and a combination of decoration with comfort. All these developments are represented in a cutaway front-cabin interior built around brand-new ideas for the instrument panel, driver's door, console, driver seat, floor and interior integration.
The Instrument Panel is highlighted by two moveable screens, a small, automated heads-up display (HUD) module above the steering wheel and a centrally-located retractable eight-inch touchscreen. In addition, below the central retractable screen, DecoControl uses capacitive switches with haptic feedback while a black panel effect presents icons for interaction with air blowers and connections to infotainment features, which light up only when needed.
Large, stylistic air vents combine decoration with functionality, displaying graphics in the daytime and backlighting at night. Overall, Faurecia's Slim IP design is dominated by a large wood surface using Ligneos while offering a light, very sleek design for weight savings. A notable advanced feature is a radial-sliding glove box that rotates out and opens with a simple gesture from the passenger. The inside of the glove box is covered with cork, and in addition Faurecia's Ligneos real-wood material lines the air vents.
The Center Console incorporates an armrest that spirals out and opens with just a touch. Inside is a wireless charging area for smartphones, equipped for near-field communication and coupling with the vehicle's antenna. Faurecia's Mirror Link technology wirelessly transmits anything from an iPhone or other nomadic device in the console to the center retractable screen and streams content wirelessly from the phone to a tablet, mounted on the back of the driver's seat, with a gesture-based interface.
The Door Panel, with a natural-fiber carrier and pocket, partly covered with a decorative embossing in Ligneco technology, features the industry's first heated armrest, using Faurecia technology available in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The armrest is covered with a textile that is backlit at night and that displays patterns in the daytime. The forward portion is covered with an unusual colored anodized aluminum containing engraved graphics, the first use of this material in this manner for vehicles.
The Driver Seat features sport cover-carving technology in which a textile covered with foam on the back is pressed into place to give the seat shape and a seamless surface. The seat continues the use of aluminum decoration on its comfort-control switches and is decorated with an aluminum strip on the side. The Sculpted Cover on the front cushion of the seat presents a smooth surface and eliminates creases. Plastic components help reduce the weight of the seat using Faurecia's plastic backrest. It also includes a docking station for a 10- inch screen tablet which integrates a wireless charging module, which equally receives content via Mirror Link from the iPhone in the center console.

"As well as bringing premium style to mainstream vehicles, many Performance 2.0 features contribute to light- weighting," noted Nicolas Pechnyk, Vice President Engineering of Faurecia Interior Systems. "For example, our Slim IP can be manufactured from less material than conventional instrument panels. Our natural-fiber carriers use less material as well, and wireless connectivity inside the vehicle substantially reduces wiring and harness requirements."
In all, Performance 2.0 was designed to illustrate a new Faurecia approach to a performance interior that integrates human-machine interface connectivity, kinematics, decoration and comfort expertise for mainstream vehicles.
At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Faurecia booth #B12 is located in hall 5.1.

Faurecia is the world's sixth-largest automotive equipment supplier with four key Business Groups: Automotive Seating, Emissions Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. In 2012, the Group posted total sales of €17.4 billion. At December 31, 2012, Faurecia employed 94,000 people in 34 countries at 320 sites, including 30 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange and trades in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market. For more information, visit: www.faurecia.com

Contacts Media

Olivier Le Friec / Head of Media Relations

Tel: +33 1 72 36 72 58 / Cell: +33 6 76 87 30 17 olivier.lefriec@faurecia.com

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