European Union researchers have devised a way of reducing the weight of noise insulation materials in cars without making them less effective.

The EU research network Eureka says the €4 million French-led project – ERTAC – has discovered that by layering compressed felt with a low density felt, the weight of sound insulation can be cut by 50%.

A prototype Peugeot 207 model is being manufactured using the technology.

Tests on a Citroën C4 cut its weight by 8kg.