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The first applications of plastic panels in the underbody targeted weight savings (elimination of the PVC coating) and aerodynamic drag reduction. The potential for the integration of acoustic functions in such new elements, addressing both interior and exterior noise, was readily recognized and demonstrated in several studies. These also pointed out the synergic interaction of the new elements with common systems and components of the sound package. While it was rather straightforward to define an acoustic design and optimization process, based on material modeling combined with component, system and vehicle SEA and FEM simulation, it also became clear that the integration of acoustic functions involved many problems that needed to be addressed in a multidisciplinary approach.