Siemens VDO Automotive Breathes Fresh Air Into Ward's 10 Best Engines
DETROIT, Jan. 7, 2004 -- Siemens VDO Automotive's engine management solutions are helping six of Ward's Communications' 10 Best Engines of 2004 meet the world's most stringent exhaust emissions and fuel economy targets. The selection of celebrated power plants featuring some of the company's innovative powertrain technologies were today displayed at the Ward's "Best Engines of 2004" awards presentation and V.I.P. luncheon held at the Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit.
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The six "Best Engines" showcasing Siemens VDO Automotive technology include, the Audi AG 4.2L DOHC V-8 (S4); the BMW AG 3.2L DOHC I-6 (M3); the DaimlerChrysler AG 5.7L Hemi Magnum OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram HD); the General Motors Corp. Vortec 4.2L DOHC I-6 (GMC Envoy); the Honda Motor Co. Ltd. 3L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe); and, the Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G35).
"Bringing powertrain innovation to market is a challenge we truly enjoy at Siemens VDO Automotive," said John Sanderson, president and CEO, Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. "But bringing our global expertise to Asian, North American and European engine builders and helping them meet ever-increasing emissions targets is a value that distinguishes us from other companies."
The Audi AG 4.2L DOHC V-8 engine and the General Motors Corp. Vortec 4.2L DOHC I-6 engine feature the Knock Sensor. Advanced engines with high compression ratios need to meet the requirement for lower fuel consumption, such as the Audi AG 4.2L and the General Motors Corp. Vortec 4.2L. The Knock Sensor is designed to constantly measure structural vibrations in the internal combustion engine to continuously adjust the ignition parameters during operation. Siemens VDO Automotive's Knock Sensors are broadband sensors, which are increasingly replacing resonance sensors.
The BMW AG 3.2L DOHC I-6 (M3) features Fluid Level Control and valvetronic system electronics technology, such as the Active Fluid Level Switch (Conductivity-based, low level warning for conductive fluids), Passive Fluid Level Sensor (Electrothermic, continuous level signal for oil) and the Pass Fluid Level Switch (Reed-Switch, low-level warning for oil). The Active Fluid Level Switch contains Fluid Level Sensors enabling continuous oil level control in engines and transmissions, thereby reducing the risk of damage due to insufficient lubrication and fuel leakage into the oil pan.
The DaimlerChrysler AG 5.7L Hemi Magnum OHV V-8 contains a vibration- welded air fuel module that integrates 26 previously independent components in one deliverable unit. It contains the integrated Electronic Throttle Control (ETC), fuel injectors and rail, emissions components and air cleaner housing and resonator to improve the fuel economy.
The Honda Motor Co. Ltd. 3L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe) engine helps cut down on fuel emissions with the Electronic Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EEGR), a procedure in which a portion of the exhaust is introduced into the intake of an engine, primarily for NOx reduction (the reduction of oxides of nitrogen).
The Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G35) not only incorporates the Knock Sensor into the engine to improve the environment, but it also incorporates the Barometric Absolute Pressure Sensor and a Fuel Pressure Damper. The BAP Sensor is used for the engine control unit function requiring additional altitude compensation and ambient pressure measurement. The Fuel Pressure Damper cuts emissions by smoothing pressure peaks created by the electronic fuel pump, which might otherwise result in noise. The Fuel Pressure Damper responds by correcting dampen fuel pressure fluctuations in the electronic fuel pump.
Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain technologies, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, plus interior products including infotainment systems. Worldwide sales reflecting fiscal year 2002/2003 totaled $9.5 billion (euro 8.375 billion). For more information: www.usa.siemensvdo.com .
Siemens AG , headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. Siemens and its subsidiaries employ 417,000 people in 192 countries and reported worldwide sales of $80.3 billion in fiscal 2003 (10/1/02 - 9/30/03).
The United States is Siemens' largest market in the world, with 11 of Siemens' worldwide businesses headquartered here and annual sales of $16.6 billion in fiscal 2003. The Siemens companies in the U.S. employ approximately 65,000 people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Corporate headquarters for Siemens' U.S. businesses are located in New York City. For more information: www.usa.siemens.com .
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