2005 NAIAS: Delphi Exhibits Technology
High-tech products on display at automakers' stands
DETROIT, Jan. 7 -- Next week's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will feature Delphi Corp. technology installed on 2005 model year cars and trucks. The technology will be on display throughout the show, which opens to the press on Jan. 9 and to the public on Jan. 15.
Highlighted Delphi content at the auto show: MagneRide(R) and Brake Control
Delphi's MagneRide(R) is a high-performance, semi-active control system that responds in real time to road and driving conditions, based on input from sensors that monitor body and wheel motions. This proven system provides fast, smooth and continuously variable damping in a cost effective and reliable package that helps reduce body motion and increase tire road contact on all types of surfaces.
MagneRide (referred to as Magnetic Ride Control by General Motors), along with Delphi's electronic stability control, panic brake assist, all-wheel- drive traction control (optional) and adaptive cruise control braking (optional), help the new Cadillac STS provide owners with the best ride and handling of both a luxury vehicle and a sport sedan.
Air Suspension
Delphi's air suspension modules enable an outstanding combination of on- and off-road driving ability along with automatic vehicle self-leveling, the ability to change the ride height for increased ground clearance and the ability to lower the vehicle to ease loading or for trailer attachment.
The front and rear airspring modules include integral twin-tube gas dampers, helping to control a vehicle's four-wheel independent suspension. Delphi's engineers developed a new generation of compact, very high-pressure airspring units, which are designed to withstand the most demanding burst pressure and temperature range requirements set by any vehicle manufacturer, while still providing low harshness ride comfort.
This innovative air suspension technology will help the new Discovery 3 (called the LR3 in North America) achieve Land Rover's legendary off-road ability and exceptional refinement and driving dynamics.
Dual Zone Climate Control System
Delphi's dual zone climate control system features automatic individually controlled front and rear climate controls. The system, which allows occupants in the vehicle to control their own thermal comfort level, operates by using a variable displacement compressor to automatically adjust capacity to match the vehicle's air conditioning demand.
Delphi's dual zone climate control system is featured on Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti.
Integrated Navigation Radio
Delphi simplifies using a navigation system with its integrated navigation radio. The system allows a driver to use a touch screen with intuitive displays to input destination information. Once the information is stored and an address is located, Delphi's system provides visual and voice-guided turn- by-turn directions as users drive to selected destinations.
The system operates with XM radio and a large screen, displaying XM channel, genre, artist and music title. The system also displays trip information, including time and distance to a destination. It also quickly remaps a final destination with new directions if a user misses a turn. The Integrated Navigation Radio also helps users locate a wide variety of points of interest such as parks, gas stations, ATMs, restaurants, recreation areas, hotels, grocery stores and many others.
Delphi integrated navigation radio is being offered as an option on all of General Motors' 2005 sport/utility vehicles.
Energy Absorbing Steering Column
Delphi's active energy absorbing steering column instantaneously adapts its settings based on a variety of inputs (including driver weight, size, seat belt usage, speed and crash severity) to help protect a broader range of drivers in a wider variety of driving conditions. This feature allows vehicle manufacturers to meet enhanced federal safety regulations (FMVSS 208), which mandate protection for both smaller (5th percentile female) and larger (50th percentile male) drivers with and without seatbelts.
Using a patented pyrotechnic device to adjust the energy absorption levels, the Delphi column reduces the impact of a crash on the upper body by absorbing up to 18 percent of the driver's energy during a collision. Delphi's active energy absorbing steering column can also potentially improve head injury criteria by a minimum of 20%. The active energy absorbing steering column can act in conjunction with a dual-stage airbag as part of an integrated safety system to help protect drivers and offers the potential to improve National Car Assessment Program (NCAP) star ratings in government crash tests.
Delphi's energy absorbing steering column is featured on Ford Motor Co.'s 2005 Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car sedans.
Satellite Radio Receiver and Antenna
Delphi has agreements to supply SDARS (satellite digital audio receivers) for both XM Radio and Sirius. Delphi's SDARS units are capable of receiving up to 100 channels of satellite-broadcast entertainment. The user interface on the units is simple and similar to a traditional AM/FM band radio but, with an alphanumeric vacuum fluorescent (VF) or liquid display (LCD), gives drivers added information including channel, type of music, song and artist name.
Delphi's satellite radios are optional on many GM and Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. At the end of 2004, Delphi had shipped nearly 4.5 million SDARS units.