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Graz/Frankfurt, September 2005-The MILA Concept version showcased at the IAA is a single-seater sports car with a mid-engine and rear-wheel drive. Magna Steyr is not only using the MILA Concept as further proof of its vehicle competence that has gone into so many successful production vehicles, but also to demonstrate its engineers' creativity and their skill in meeting innovative and technically demanding challenges.

Magna Steyr is confident that natural gas will gain more and more ground as an alternative fuel for road vehicles in the future. CNG is available today in sufficient quantities and has many advantages over automotive gas (i.e. butane or propane). Engines reach a higher degree of efficiency with CNG than with gasoline (up to 32% compared with 25%).

The engine used in the MILA Concept, installed in the rear as a mid-engine, is a standard 1.6-litre four-cylinder model that was converted to monovalent CNG operation, which means it will run on natural gas alone. Apart from installing CNG-specific injection valves, no other modifications had to be carried on the original gasoline engine. Its maximum power of 110 kW (150 hp) gives the concept vehicle a top speed of over 200 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.

The fuel tank is a composite CNG safety pressure cylinder (aluminium liner wrapped with carbon fibre) and located safely behind the driver's seat should there be a crash.

The attractive, Class-A stampings made of glass-reinforced polyester designed by the Magna Steyr Styling Department conceal an ultramodern, extra light and extra stiff space frame in 6000 series aluminium alloy - weighing only around 100 kg. The entire chassis is a lightweight construction made of high-strength steel. Given the consistent lightweight design throughout, the complete vehicle weighs in at around 850 kg.

The current version of the MILA Concept experimental vehicle has a closed body with a Perspex bubble over the driver. If the vehicle goes into volume production at a later date, a three-part bubble made of laminated glass would be conceivable instead of the Plexiglas one.

Since a basic principle in Magna Steyr's corporate strategy is not to market any vehicles of its own, the MILA Concept does not involve any plans or proposals to build a vehicle under the Magna Steyr brand. In fact, the company is seeking an OEM as a partner in the promising MILA Concept project with a view to jointly turning it into a production mature and marketable vehicle. Magna Steyr estimates the time required for production development to be about 23 months.

The custom-built show car on display at the IAA naturally works and can be driven at any time. After the IAA, Magna Steyr is also considering giving the media and OEM representatives the opportunity to test drive the vehicle.

Story by Magna Steyr