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| October 10, 2008
Audi Selects Alcoa Wheel's Dura-Bright(R) Technology for New A6
Stay Clean Wheel Option Latest in Alcoa and Audi Innovation in
Aluminum
CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Audi AG has selected Alcoa to supply forged aluminum wheels with
Dura-Bright® technology surface treatment for
the new 2009 Audi A6 recently debuting at the Paris International Motor
Show.
Dura-Bright® technology enhances the image of
the vehicle and the ownership experience by making the wheels easy to
clean while protecting against corrosion. Dura-Bright®
technology is the latest innovation in aluminum from Alcoa, who first
helped Audi pioneer the lightweight aluminum space frame on the original
A8.
“It was clear that Audi required a new wheel
solution that is durable while retaining a high quality, innovative
finish,” explains Mike Parnell, Vice President
and General Manager – Alcoa Auto Wheels. “By
staying cleaner longer, Dura-Bright®
technology wheels enhance a vehicle’s
appearance allowing Audi A6 owners to enjoy their vehicle while lowering
maintenance efforts.”
Traditional alloy wheels rely on lacquer as a finish and protection
against the elements. During heat cycling, brake dust and grime can
penetrate the lacquer to create a yellow discoloration or black specks
that cannot be removed. Dura-Bright®
technology penetrates the surface of the wheel to become an integral
part of the aluminum itself. It resists peeling, cracking and corrosion
while offering a premium finish in keeping with Audi’s
vehicle design philosophy.
Alcoa’s proprietary Dura-Bright®
technology surface treatment has been offered in the commercial vehicle
marketing since 2003, and more recently in the automotive OEM market.
Launched into the automotive marketplace in 2007, Dura-Bright®
technology by Alcoa is now available on several leading Global
automotive platforms. Fitment on the Audi A6 signals the first
application of Dura-Bright® technology for a
European luxury sedan.
In addition, all Dura-Bright® technology
wheels are produced by Alcoa’s forged
engineering expertise. Alcoa forged aluminum wheels provide increased
strength and durability gains and are typically twice as strong as a
comparable cast aluminum wheel in crush tests. Further, a forged wheel
reduces un-sprung weight on a car, maximizing vehicle performance,
including more responsive steering and braking performance, while
reducing weight compared to a similar cast aluminum wheel by over 20
percent. Additionally, CO2 emissions are
lowered and fuel economy is enhanced due to the weight reduction.
“We are proud to work with Audi to provide
our eighteen-inch wheel with Dura-Bright®
technology for the new A6 offering easy to clean maintenance benefits
coupled with the strength and light weight advantages of a forged
aluminum wheel for improved driving dynamics,”
concludes Parnell.
The launch of Dura-Bright® technology with
Audi follows on from Alcoa’s Sixtieth
Anniversary of developing, producing and supplying forged aluminum
wheels to the global automotive and commercial vehicle industries. For
more information, visit www.strongwheels.com.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland,
Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets
with products used in a range of applications including cast and forged
aluminum wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast
products, niche products such as Dura-Bright®
and Dura-Flange® wheels and M-Series™
medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components
for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Transportation
Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive Wheels. It employs
2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world leader in the production and management of
primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined through its
active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry.
Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and
construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing
design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's
businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components
including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings,
Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening
systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building
systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been
named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be
found at www.alcoa.com
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