Delphi's Driver Selectable Ride System Improves Comfort and Performance

TROY, Mich., Nov. 21 -- A new product designed to help meet the vehicle performance demands of consumers with regular trailering needs and consumers carrying heavy loads soon will be available through Delphi Aftermarket Operations. Delphi's Driver Selectable Ride (DSR) recently was on display at the 2001 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), in Las Vegas.

DSR, available in the spring of 2002, is a selectable damping control system that responds to the driver's input. The driver can control ride characteristics with the flip of a switch to stiffen the shock valving and improve vehicle and trailer handling, or select the normal condition to maximize ride comfort when the trailer is removed. The stand-alone system incorporates a patented solenoid valve design that switches between two independent valving disk stacks to provide the unique ability to change shock damping. DSR is designed for dual-purpose vehicles, and provides superior ride and load capability over conventional shock absorbers.

``Delphi is the only supplier to offer such a high level of independent tunable damping control in a monotube shock absorber,'' said Ted Thacker, general director sales and marketing, Delphi Aftermarket Operations. ``This system is a no compromise ride and handling solution. It offers improved vehicle handling when trailering and enhanced comfort for everyday driving.''

The extremely reliable system was developed with OEM design techniques and hardware. A monotube reservoir design maximizes heat dissipation and the overall system has a low current draw and little effect on fuel economy. Installation is simple, requiring no specialty tools.

DSR was awarded Popular Mechanics' 2001 Editor's Choice Award at AAPEX. Popular Mechanics editors inspected products at more than 6000 exhibitors' booths to select 19 of the best for the annual award, presented Oct. 30, in a ceremony at the Venetian Hotel.

Delphi's focus in the aftermarket is on electronics and electronically enhanced products and service technologies. For more information about Delphi Automotive Systems, visit our Virtual Press Room at www.delphiauto.com/vpr .