SEOUL, KOREA - Renault Samsung applied a magnesium lightweight material for the facelift model of the full-size sedan SM7 which is scheduled to be released next month.This was the first time among carmakers to apply the magnesium lightweight material in the car body.
Renault Samsung announced on August 28 that it jointly developed the magnesium lightweight plate with POSCO and used it for the back of the rear seat and the trunk.The two parties jointly spent 2 billion won to develop the material since 2012.
The weight of the newly developed magnesium plate is 1.4 kilograms, about 61 percent lower than that of existing steel plates (3.6 kilograms). Compared to the steel-based metal, magnesium is lighter and has superior specific strength.
A Renault Samsung official said, “To expand the use of magnesium materials, we are expanding cooperation with local parts suppliers in Korea and elsewhere.”