Magna International says it is accelerating development work in active aerodynamics. Its Actero systems include active grille shutters, and active front deflectors. Long in use on the radiators of heavy duty trucks, grille shutters are now becoming increasingly common on cars and light trucks, including at Ram, Ford, GMC, Chevrolet, Porsche, among others.
A vehicle’s aerodynamic profile is a major contributor to its fuel economy, of course, which is inversely is proportional to CO2 emissions. Thus, the higher the fuel economy, the lower the production of CO2, a greenhouse gas. Expect to see many more active aerodynamics – deflectors, spoilers, wings, splitters in the near future – because they can increase fuel economy by 1% or more.
The latest Actero product to reach the market is a visible active grille shutter system. The system is a first for Magna in that the louvers, which electronically open and close to deflect air, are located on the outer, visible surface of the grille, not tucked in behind.
Magna originally developed and commercialized its first active grille shutter system for a 2013-model-year vehicle. It has more than 15 programs now running. Actero systems are driven by actuators connected directly with the vehicle’s internal electronic controls. Deployment is based on vehicle inputs such as speed, temperature and drive mode.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
