AUBURN HILLS, Mich.,
April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- During a ceremony held yesterday in Detroit, BorgWarner (NYSE: BWA) received
an Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award for its
collaboration with General Motors (GM) on the Eco-Launch™ solenoid
valve. The innovative technology helps deliver improved fuel
economy and performance at significantly lower cost than
alternative systems. Several patents are pending for the
innovation, and GM has already committed to using the technology on
an upcoming vehicle. BorgWarner's innovation also received a 2014
Automotive News PACE Award.
"Stop/start systems increase fuel economy 3 to 10 percent,
depending on driving patterns. BorgWarner's Eco-Launch solenoid
valve is a cost-effective solution that enables current automatic
transmission designs to function well with stop/start strategies.
This allows automakers to expand stop/start capabilities across a
broad range of vehicles quickly and economically," said
Robin Kendrick, President and
General Manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems. "We are very
pleased to share this PACE Innovation Partnership Award with GM and
proud to receive our eighth PACE Award in just 10 years. These
awards symbolize the entrepreneurial spirit of the many BorgWarner
and GM employees who develop and produce important innovations for
drivers around the world."
Stop/start systems increase fuel economy by turning the engine
off when the vehicle stops. However, when the driver accelerates
from the stop mode, current stop/start systems can cause vehicles
equipped with automatic transmissions to hesitate before engaging.
BorgWarner's solenoid experts developed an exceptionally low-noise,
high-flow, low-leak solenoid valve with a hydraulic accumulator to
prime the transmission in as little as 0.33 seconds, achieving
quick hydraulic pressure for smooth launches when the engine
restarts. Specifically designed for easy integration, the
technology allows automakers to upgrade existing automatic
transmissions—including dual-clutch, stepped automatic and
continuously variable transmissions—to expand stop/start
capabilities across their vehicle lineup.
Recognized around the world as a symbol of excellence, the
annual Automotive News PACE Awards acknowledge automotive suppliers
for superior innovation, technological advancement and business
performance. PACE stands for Premier Automotive Suppliers'
Contribution to Excellence. The 20th annual PACE Award
winners were chosen based on a comprehensive written application,
site visit and extensive review by industry, academic and business
leaders. BorgWarner's Eco-Launch™ solenoid valve was named a winner
in the product category, which recognizes innovations in new
products, services or their development that have significant
market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive
industry.
With eight PACE Awards, five PACE Innovation Partnership Awards
and one PACE Environmental Award since 2005, BorgWarner has become
one of the most decorated companies in the history of the awards
competition.
About BorgWarner
BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a
product leader in highly engineered components and systems for
powertrains around the world. Operating manufacturing and technical
facilities in 60 locations in 19 countries, the company delivers
innovative powertrain solutions to improve fuel economy, reduce
emissions and enhance performance. For more information, please
visit borgwarner.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140408/DE00515
SOURCE BorgWarner Inc.