Visteon, Hyundai Join To Cool Cars

DEARBORN, Mich.--Visteon Corp. is working with the Hyundai America Technical Center Inc. to produce an advanced Energy Efficient Thermal System with Hyundai Motor Co.

The co-development project is expected to result in a vehicle climate control system that requires less power, which will help increase fuel economy, while helping to decrease vehicle emissions. The two companies plan to complete the project by summer 2001.

To accomplish this, Visteon’s Climate Control Systems Group (VCC) has developed several technologies that will improve vehicle thermal insulation, increase the ability of the vehicle to achieve and maintain better thermal comfort, and help reduce climate control power consumption by as much as 60 to 75 percent.

“We are privileged to be working with Hyundai on this advanced co-development project,” said Frank Croskey, vice president and general manager at VCC. “Given increasing concern for the environment and energy conservation, Hyundai’s Energy Efficient Vehicle will provide a global model for the 21st century automotive industry.”

VCC has replaced traditional glass windows with proprietary glazed, dual pane windows, which will insulate the car from solar energy on hot days. Additionally, enhanced body insulation also will be added to efficiently maintain the inside temperature of the vehicle and help to reduce energy losses.

The Advanced Engineering group at VCC is working with Hyundai to reduce the “thermal mass” of the interior. Hyundai will provide a magnesium cross beam for the development car which will cause it to absorb less heat, thus requiring less cooling for the car. Because magnesium is lighter weight, it also results in enhanced fuel economy.

“Hyundai Motor Co. is pleased to be working on this advanced technology with Visteon. It shows a strong connection between our systems supplier and ourselves,” said Dr. Young Woo Kim, president of Hyundai America’s Technical Center. “We look forward to the successful introduction of this technology into our vehicles to enhance our brand image as well as the value of our vehicles.”

For more information, contact www.visteon.com.