BORGWARNER’S ECO-LAUNCH™ SOLENOID VALVE
NAMED A FINALIST FOR THE 2014 AUTOMOTIVE NEWS PACE AWARDS
Auburn Hills, Michigan, October 22, 2013 – BorgWarner’s Eco-Launch solenoid valve has
been named a finalist for the prestigious 2014 Automotive News PACE Awards in the
product category. The technology helps stop/start systems improve fuel economy with
smoother launches during restarts. BorgWarner’s innovative Eco-Launch solenoid valve
technology offers improved performance at significantly lower cost than alternative
systems and allows automakers to easily expand stop/start capability across their vehicle
fleets.
“BorgWarner thrives on innovation. Our new Eco-Launch solenoid valve technology
improves fuel economy and performance, delivering smooth operation for drivers and
quick-to-market solutions for automakers,” said James R. Verrier, President and Chief
Executive Officer, BorgWarner. “Once again, we are honored to be among this year’s
distinguished PACE Award finalists.”
Vehicles with stop/start systems shut the engine off when the vehicle stops,
increasing fuel economy 3 to 10 percent, depending on driving patterns. However, when
the driver accelerates from the stop mode, current stop/start systems can cause vehicles
equipped with automatic transmissions to lurch or roll back. 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. For automatic
transmission designs that currently offer stop/start capability, Eco-Launch solenoid valves
offer better performance at significantly lower cost than alternative systems. Specifically
designed for easy integration, the technology also allows automakers to upgrade existing
automatic transmissions—including dual-clutch, stepped automatic and continuously
variable transmissions—to expand stop/start capabilities across their vehicle fleet. Several
patents are pending for the innovation, and a major automaker has already committed to
using the technology in several of its transmissions.
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BorgWarner Inc. (BorgWarner’s Eco-Launch™ Solenoid Valve Named a Finalist for the
2014 Automotive News PACE Awards) – 2
Sponsored by Automotive News, Ernst & Young and the Transportation Research
Center Inc., the 20th annual PACE Awards honor superior innovation, technological
advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. Known around the
world as the industry symbol of innovation, PACE stands for Premier Automotive
Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence. Winners are selected by an independent panel of
judges and will be announced in Detroit on April 7, 2014. Since 2005, BorgWarner has
received seven PACE Awards, four PACE Innovation Partnership Awards and one PACE
Environmental Award.
About BorgWarner
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a technology leader
in highly engineered components and systems for powertrain applications worldwide.
Operating manufacturing and technical facilities in 57 locations in 19 countries, the
company develops products to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance
performance. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors,
Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. For more
information, please visit borgwarner.com.
BorgWarner’s Eco-Launch solenoid valve has been named a finalist for the prestigious
2014 Automotive News PACE Awards in the product category. The innovation is designed
to help stop/start systems improve fuel economy with smoother launches during restarts.
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