Continental Powertrain Technology Featured on Six of Ward's 10 Best Engines

Innovative engine technology will help meet fuel economy, emissions challenges

DETROIT, Jan. 16 -- Six gasoline engines by different manufacturers made Ward's annual list of best engines, and each was equipped with innovative Continental engine management technologies that will help the companies meet challenging federal fuel economy and emissions mandates, and provide consumers with outstanding performance and value.

For the second year in a row a gasoline engine featuring piezo direct injection, a key technology from Continental, landed on the list. The BMW 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i Coupe) engine was honored today at the Renaissance Center in Detroit during the 14th annual Ward's Ten Best Engines competition recognizing automotive powertrain excellence.

"We are proud to see that once again an engine with Continental's piezo direct injection technology, the industry's first mass-produced application for a gasoline-powered engine, has been recognized for this prestigious award," said Kregg Wiggins, vice president Powertrain North America. "With the recently enacted CAFE regulations and ever more stringent CO2 requirements elsewhere in the world, innovative technologies like the piezo injectors will help carmakers achieve the goal of sustainable driving."

"The electronic content of the typical automobile has increased by almost 50 percent over just the last five years and we expect that trend to continue as carmakers look to achieve the fuel economy and emissions compliance challenge. Continental is prepared to help our customers meet those challenges with an array of electronic and software technology for gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions -- including double clutch applications, engine management, injection technology, hybrids, turbo chargers and battery applications that as we see here today is helping automakers win awards and provide consumers with environmentally friendly driving."

Piezo direct injection gasoline technology enables customers to take a more direct route in their efforts to meet new fuel economy regulations by offering a highly precise injection technology improving vehicle fuel economy. Direct injection fuel delivery injects gasoline directly into the engine's combustion chamber, enabling the vehicle to start with less fuel, while simultaneously improving vehicle drivability and emissions. When compared to conventional manifold port injection, piezo direct injection in gasoline engines offers up to a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy and a similar reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Best Engine Technologies

Continental's engine management technology is featured on six of the 10 Best Engines. The six "Best Engines" showcasing the company's powertrain innovations are:

  -- Audi AG: FSI 2.0L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3) featuring
     Continental's:
     -- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC).  The ETC works with other
        components to improve fuel economy.
     -- Knock Sensor
     -- Actuators GPAS

  -- BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i Coupe) featuring
     Continental's:
     -- Piezo Injector
     -- Knock Sensor
     -- High Pressure Fuel Pump
     -- Electronic Control Unit
     -- Electronic Throttle Control Actuator
     -- CAM, Crank Sensor
     -- Smart Coolant Pump

  -- General Motors Corp.: 6.0L OHV V-8 Hybrid (GMC Yukon Hybrid) featuring
     Continental's:
     -- EFSCM (Fuel Controller)

  -- Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe) featuring
     Continental's:
     -- Engine Controllers
     -- Electrically-controlled Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EEGR) valve

  -- Daimler AG: 3.0L DOHC V-6 Turbodiesel (Mercedes E320 CDI) featuring
     Continental's:
     -- Intake air temperature sensor
     -- Cooling temperature sensor

  -- Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.7L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G37) featuring
     Continental's:
     -- Knock Sensor

With annual sales of more than euro 25 billion (based on 2006 figures), the Continental Corporation is among the top five automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomer products, the corporation contributes to enhanced road traffic safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. The corporation currently employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

The Powertrain division within the automotive supplier Continental AG integrates innovative and efficient system solutions throughout the drivetrain in vehicles, which increase vehicle performance and driving comfort while simultaneously lowering fuel consumption and emissions. As a partner of the motor industry, the division produces at over 60 locations worldwide, developing a comprehensive product portfolio that ranges from gasoline and diesel injection systems, to engine and transmission controls and all the way to components and systems for hybrid drives. The division employs about 27,000 people.