Magneti Marelli Reduces Design and Simulation Time Using Mentor Graphics SystemVision for Safety Function Simulation

WILSONVILLE, Ore. Oct 6, 2005 -Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) announced today that international automotive leader Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A. has integrated Mentor Graphics{reg} tools, including the newly launched SystemVision™ mixed-signal modeling and simulation environment, into its application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) development flow to achieve a 30 percent reduction in design and simulation time.

"Magneti Marelli's Powertrain Division reduced development time for its engine control custom design flow by 30 percent using SystemVision and ModelSim, and achieved a full running component in the first release," said Edoardo Martelli, methodology manager of R&D Hardware Development at Magneti Marelli.

Magneti Marelli is using the multi-model, multi-domain software, SystemVision, for mechatronic system simulation, including safety function simulation, in order to design and simulate the core of a new digital ASIC. SystemVision provides a virtual lab, which supports industry-standard languages VHDL-AMS, SPICE and C, for creating and analyzing analog, digital, and mixed-signal systems.

Magneti Marelli is also using Mentor Graphics products HDL Designer™ for design entry and ModelSim{reg} for digital simulation. These tools facilitate ASIC development across distributed design teams and enable practical design reuse through rapid understanding and easy deployment of intellectual property (IP). Magneti Marelli imports the VHDL files created by HDL Designer into SystemVision. The Mentor Graphics solution will be deployed in the Magneti Marelli Powertrain research and development site in Venaria Reale near Torino (northern Italy). This site designs and develops integrated circuits (ICs) for specific automotive applications; it also designs electronic control units (ECUs) and semi-automatic transmission controls.

The most important advantages with SystemVision are:

• Drag and drop feature for importing VHDL code from HDL Designer
• Extensive use of internal library of VHDL-AMS and Spice models
• Co-simulation feature between SystemVision and ModelSim
• Simulation of the complete system before the prototype
• Improved reliability and robustness

About Magneti Marelli

Magneti Marelli is an international leader in the design and production of high-tech components and systems for the automotive industry. Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A. designs and develops components and systems to control internal combustion engines (petrol and diesel) and for transmission control. The company supplies the world's major car manufacturers such as Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, Fiat Group, Ford, Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, BMW-Rover, DaimlerChrysler, GM-Opel, Volvo, Saab, Nissan, Toyota and Daewoo.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics, semiconductor and transportation companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of over $700 million and employs approximately 3,900 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon USA 97070-7777. The company has more than 70 offices worldwide, including Detroit, Munich and Tokyo. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics and ModelSim are registered trademarks and SystemVision and HDL Designer are trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, please contact:

James Price
Mentor Graphics
+44 161 926 1637
james_price@mentor.com

Suzanne Graham
Mentor Graphics
503.685.7789
suzanne_graham@mentor.com