Continental Supplies Advanced Braking System for Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

- High-tech system helps Escape SUV to achieve excellent city mileage and optimal braking -

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 31 -- Ultra low emissions and excellent city mileage are what make Ford's new Escape Hybrid SUV unique. And Continental Teves engineers have contributed to helping achieve these goals through superior braking while simultaneously recharging the vehicle's battery. The electro-hydraulic brake (EHB) system was developed by Continental Teves engineers to meet Ford's stringent requirements for the world's first hybrid electric SUV.

A hybrid vehicle requires a braking system that can support the regeneration of electrical power to the battery. According to Craig Belevender, director, Brake Systems Engineering for Continental Teves, N.A., "Ford provided the brake control specifications to us and asked that we supply them with a series regenerative braking system."

Belevender says the software of the hybrid vehicle braking system controls the distribution between hydraulic braking force and electrical regenerative braking.

"It is substantially more sophisticated than a conventional system," said Belevender. "The system first uses as much energy as possible from the powertrain and then supplements the additional required torque with friction brakes." EHB is a "wet" brake-by-wire system that, transparent to the driver, balances brake torque vs. regenerative torque to slow or stop the vehicle.

Continental Teves is currently working on the next generation braking system for hybrid vehicles, developing new methods of controlling the brake system to optimize performance and system cost.

With 2003 sales of approximately $13 billion (US), Continental AG is a major supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical rubber products. Continental Automotive Systems' North American operation is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich. For additional information, visit these websites: http://www.conti-online.com/ and http://www.contitevesna.com/ .

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