21st Century Cars

04/10/96

NEWS RELEASE

TECHNOLOGY TAKING CARS INTO 21ST CENTURY 

April 3, 1996 (New York) -- The first motorcar, built 111 years ago,
was little more than a tricycle with an internal combustion engine,
yet it was a marvel of invention. By joining two existing Victorian
technologies -- the carriage and the gasoline engine -- a worldwide
industry was born.

That spirit of invention continues today as engineers push the
envelope to build better performing, better engineered cars and trucks
that make vehicles of even 20 years ago seem like dinosaurs. With the
widespread use of advanced electronic systems, today's cars are smart
cars -- cars that can "think" for themselves. In the blink of an eye
-- or less -- complicated functions are carried out, the likes of
which were not even imagined 50 years ago.

Visitors to the 1996 New York International Automobile Show at the
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, April 6-April 14, will have the
opportunity to see many of these advances first hand.

"Many visitors don't realize the advances that have been made," said
John LaSorsa, President of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers
Association, who put on the New York Auto Show. "because everything is
located under hood and sheet metal, and is controlled by computer
chips. But the progress in electronics and on board microprocessing
have made cars safer and more efficient than ever before."

Today, computers govern the overall performance of an automobile. The
engine, automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction
control, air bags, speed sensitive steering and, in some cases,
suspension systems, are all controlled by complex electronic nerve
centers that optimize performance and react to driver and car
input. In some cases, the communication between systems can save a
life; in others it benefits the environment.

Vehicles in 1996 have OBD II, the second generation on-board
diagnostics system. This system continuously monitors
emissions-related equipment on vehicles to detect deterioration. Once
deterioration or failure is detected, the information is stored in the
powertrain control module along with specific powertrain and operating
information.

The advantage to this system, over its predecessor, is that the
technician has more comprehensive information available to affect
repairs. Early detection of deterioration can prevent driveability
failures.

Consumers feel the immediate benefit of the extensive use of
microprocessors in their pocketbooks. Cars are more fuel miserly and
less polluting. With sophisticated computers sounding early warning
bells of imminent component failure, costly repairs at times may be
limited to only a specific system and not to adjunct systems.

As the world charges into the next millennium, all manufacturers have
their engine plans set to bring on a new generation of lightweight,
fuel efficient powerplants. The trend toward multi-valve engines will
continue.  Today, all manufacturers offer 16-valve, four-cylinder
engines, 24-valve, six-cylinder and 32-valve eights are now
common. Combined with advances in electronic fuel injection systems
and computerized engine management, the new engines deliver more
horsepower, are cleaner and use less fuel than their forbearers.

Coupled to these engines are electronically controlled four-speed, and
in some cases five-speed, automatic transmissions. The engine and
transmission are governed by a control module that determines optimum
performance levels for the car's powertrain. Through the control
module, transmission shift points are carefully matched to the engine
speed, making for smoother shifting of gears and more efficient use of
fuel.

With the ability to control the powertrain through microprocessors,
even more breakthroughs are expected over the next few years. High on
the auto manufacturers wish lists are even more efficient lean burn
engines.  These powerplants operate on high air/fuel ratios controlled
by a computer, and stretch the fuel efficiency of the automobile while
delivering acceptable performance.

Research into lean burn technology has already borne fruit as
refinements to these engines now enter the marketplace. Some of the
advancements include turbo-charging and supercharging, variable valve
timing and lift control systems.

Many of the new engines have several common
elements. Four-valves-per-cylinder is a must. Variable-valve timing is
another key, as well as advanced, computer controlled fuel injection
systems.

Over 100 years ago, the auto industry pioneers never dreamed of
something called a computer that would control cars. But the
advancements made today are a continuation of their inventive
spirit. And you can see it all on display at the 1996 New York
International Automobile Show.