NXP Semiconductors has publicly unveiled its 16nm FinFET MCU product line featuring built-in Magnetoresistive Random-Access Memory (MRAM) for the automotive industry. The S32K5 MCU product line is expected to expand the NXP CoreRide platform through pre-integrated zonal and electrification system solutions for scalable Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architectures. Automotive manufacturers are introducing zonal architectures through various approaches to the allocation and integration of ECU (Electronic Control Unit) functions. This zonal solution is based on a new generation of MCU architecture that combines real-time performance, low-latency deterministic communication, and innovative isolation features.Manuel Alves, Senior Vice President and General Manager of NXP’s Automotive MCU division, stated: “The new S32K5 product line expands the performance limits of MCUs while maintaining the safety, efficiency, and isolation required for zonal solutions. The NXP CoreRide platform equipped with S32K5 provides a scalable foundation for software-based innovation. This initiative will support automotive manufacturers and Tier-1 companies in accelerating the development of zonal architectures.”The NXP S32K5 product line features an Arm® Cortex® CPU core running at up to 800MHz, delivering power-efficient application performance realized through 16nm FinFET technology. With optimized accelerators, it can enhance key workloads such as network translation, security, and digital signal processing. The integrated Ethernet switch core, shared with NXP’s S32N automotive processor product line, offers a validated network solution that simplifies network design and software reuse.The S32K5 integrates a software-defined, hardware-enhanced isolation architecture, enabling automotive manufacturers to achieve secure partitioning. This ensures that the maximum ASIL-D level safety applications can be integrated without compromising safety or performance.Additionally, the S32K5 features NXP’s scalable machine accelerator dedicated eIQ Neutron NPU (eIQ® Neutron) Neural Processing Unit. As a result, machine learning algorithms will effectively support real-time processing of sensor data at the vehicle’s edge.Moreover, the use of high-performance on-chip MRAM is over 15 times faster than built-in flash technology, reducing ECU programming time during factory shipment and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. The S32K5 combines with NXP’s latest security accelerators, including Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) capabilities. This allows automotive manufacturers to securely deploy new features throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle, providing advantages for vehicle manufacturing and ownership.The S32K5 will begin sampling to major customers in the third quarter of 2025.