What is Cantronic? MTM Cantronic is the name of a new product family which allows a wide range of vehicle optimizations and modifications. What all these modules have in common is a connection with the vehicle´s so called CANbus.
The CANbus (Controller Area Network) is a serial bus framework developed for the networking of control units. Modern vehicles have up to 50 such units of which the ECU (engine control unit) is the largest. Others are used for the transmission or the control of parts like inside-adjustable outside mirrors, air bags, cruise control and audio system. The communication among these control and sensor units is essential to get response from sensors and ensure the coordination of all parts. With a lot less effort of wiring than before it enables information exchange between systems and is being used by our Cantronic to get access to necessary information.
What is the Cantronic capable of? The MTM Cantronic can be adapted to different fields of application. When having access to the relevant data the Cantronic can precisely modify the vehicle´s series production status to guarantee an optimized setup in every situation. By now the Cantronic is offered as M-Cantronic for the modification of engine electronics and as F-Cantronic for the optimization of the vehicle´s chassis. Further applications are currently being developed for example the suspension of the electronically limited top speed or the flue glas damper control.
Advantages of all Cantronic modules are further:
Can easily and quickly be mounted/dismounted by the customer himself or by a car workshop of his choice
Can be removed without remnants
Includes TÜV certificate and EMC test (electromagnetic compatibility)
Can be taken along when car model is being changed and therefore saves money (see „What happens when I change my car?“)
Can without problems be used with particle filters
According to the field of application the Cantronic gets various data from the CANbus, recalculates the input variables and feeds them back into the network.
M-Cantronic
Operating principle for diesel and petrol engines: To achieve the required fine-tuning we tap the RPM signal (revolutions per minute) from the CANbus and use it for recalculating parameters of the engine´s characteristic diagram. Considering RPM and load it is possible to specify and apply new figures for fuel and boost pressure. In contrast most of the currently available devices simply add a certain percentage to every boost pressure figure. However, one figure for boost pressure can emerge at two different figures of RPM. Here an example: 1,3 bar boost pressure emerges at 1700 and at 4500 RPM. At 1700 RPM it is perfectly possible to increase the boost pressure by 10%. At 4500 RPM such a high increase at already high speed is not recommendable as it unnecessarily strains the engine. In this case a rise of 5% would be the better choice. Same goes for the fuel pressure Consequently tuning kits without regard to the RPM can either generally add 10% fuel/boost pressure which eventually harms the engine or only add 5% and give away potential output performance especially in the low and medium speed range.
The M-Cantronic offers the ideal solution. The advantage of speed-sensitive tuning gets noticeable in a harmonic engine-power characteristic and a better performance at medium speed range. These complex modifications combined with its other advantages makes the M-Cantronic superior to conventional chip tuning.
The M-Cantronic is available for the following cars:
Audi A3 Cabrio 2.0 TDI
Audi A4 2.0 TDI
Audi A4 2.7 TDI
Audi A4 3.0 TDI
Audi A5 2.7 TDI
Audi A5 3.0 TDI
Audi A6 3.0 TDI (240 BHP)
Audi A8 4.2 TDI
Audi Q5 3.0 TDI
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
Audi Q7 4.2 TDI
VW Golf VI 2.0 TDI
VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI
VW Touareg 3.0 TDI
M-Cantronic is now available for the following petrol engines:
Audi A6 V6 3.0 Compressor
Audi S4 3.0 Compressor
Audi S5 Cabrio 3.0
F-Cantronic
The basis for the recalculation of the chassis height is the speed signal. It determines how deep the car body can be lowered. The F-Cantronic taps the speed signal from the CANbus and modifies it. Our aim is a low suspension setting under the aspect of visual appeal and maintenance of the in-series travelling comfort at the same time. In the chart below you find exemplary results attainable for the Audi A6. In comparison to the standard level the F-Cantronic achieves a lowering of 35 mm up to a speed of 120 km/h! Above this speed the Cantronic module lifts the chassis to the series level „Drive“ to avoid cutbacks in terms of comfort. The Cantronic module offers three switch positions. In the off-position the module is deactivated. The second position (OPT) standardly generates about half of the possible lowering but can optionally be programmed as wished. In the on-position the Cantronic unites lowest possible setting while maintaining suspension comfort and agreeable driving characteristics.
At the same time we do not want to leave unmentioned that switching our module on and off can also conveniently be done even without leaving the driver seat. As a matter of principle the F-Cantronic gets only activated in connection with your car´s sport or dynamic setting. If you just temporarily want to lift your chassis (e.g. for passing over a kerbstone) you simply have to change your car´s suspension setting to the automatic or standard mode to deactivate the F-Cantronic. Accordingly switching back will make it work again.
Due to the multiple possibilities of our software we are also able to consider individual convenience and customize the F-Cantronic to your personal needs. An example is a higher suspension setting for more ground clearance off or on bad roads, a better handling with trailers or for an easier boarding. Please do not hesitate to contact us concerning your requirements.
The F-Cantronic is available for following cars:
Audi A6 C6
Audi A6 C6 allroad
Audi A8 D3
Audi Q7
VW Touareg
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Continental GTC
Bentley Flying Spur
Porsche Cayenne
MTM Cantronic Installation
What happens when I change my car? If you change your car usually you can take your Cantronic along.
When shifting to the same model (with the same engine) the only thing that has to be done is an update of the Cantronic´s software. Therefore you send your Cantronic module together with your new VIN (vehicle identification number) either to MTM directly or to one of its subsidiaries. After the software update the module will be sent back to you. Now you can mount and use the Cantronic again.
When shifting to a new model or to the same model with another engine you only need to check if we offer the Cantronic for that car. This can easily be done through our online product search. If available you can order the software update together with a fitting wiring harness. After mounting the Cantronic its power is immediately at your disposal again.
This modular assembly system allows it to install the Cantronic modules with the matching wiring harnesses again and again. For repeated usage costs incur only for software updates and wiring harnesses.
This arrangement is not valid for the shift from diesel to petrol/gasoline engines or vice versa (see „How does the Cantronic work?“) as both engine types require different hardware.
MTM Cantronic at the 24h-race at the Nürburgring
M-Cantronic in connection with particle filters: Particle filters in compression ignition engines are widely used these days which is why we already considered them in the conception of our M-Cantronic. Concerns regarding its compatibility with particle filters are therefore unsubstantial. In the course of the TÜV certificate approval process the emissions of all vehicles have been tested and confirmed to be within the exhaust-emission standard. This was verified in multiple long-term and endurance tests.
Moreover the M-Cantronic is designed in a matter that it does not influence the exhaust-gas sensors. The constant monitoring of the exhaust-gas temperature and the exhaust-gas back pressure is a separate process and the particle filter´s active regeneration cycles can on demand be executed without any variation compared to the series status.
