Magna says its rear thermoplastic swing doors, are hitting the market for the first time on the all-electric Volkswagen ID.BUZZ.
The doors for the cargo versions contain recycled materials and Magna claims they are 20-30% lighter than traditional steel solutions, helping reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, optimizing range, and reducing the opening effort for consumers.
Additionally, by using thermoplastic resin material, Magna claims vehicle designers have more styling freedom for sharper detailing, undercut surfaces and tighter radii, which enables greater brand differentiation. With the use of thermoplastics, the spoiler is now integrated into the swing doors which ‘reduces cost, creates a cleaner appearance and improves vehicle aerodynamics’.
“Lightweight components are increasingly important with the shift to electrification, and we see an ever-growing demand for new access solutions,” said Grahame Burrow, President, Magna Exteriors. “Magna has been on the forefront of next generation thermoplastic liftgates and now we are taking that expertise to develop numerous integration possibilities for our customers.”
From carrying cargo to working on the job site, consumers have the option to choose their preferred method of rear access to fit their lifestyle; a traditional liftgate or split swing doors. Both thermoplastic solutions are supplied as ready-to-install modules. This helps to reduce production time and improve line efficiency while saving on cost, Magna says.
