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Delphi's Electric Power Steering Launches on Volkswagen Lupo TDI

29 September 2000

Delphi's Electric Power Steering Launches on Volkswagen Lupo TDI

        Securing its Second Electric Power Steering Customer in Europe

    PARIS, Sept. 29 Delphi Automotive Systems'
E-STEER(TM) Electric Power Steering System will be available as an option on
Volkswagen's new 2001 Lupo 3L TDI arriving in Europe this autumn.  This marks
the second time in the past year that Delphi will reach the European market
with it's innovative electric power steering system, which debuted in a
production application in August 1999.
    The E-STEER(TM) all-electric, engine-independent design eliminates the
traditional hydraulic power steering system's pump, hoses, hydraulic fluid,
drive belt and pulley on the engine, thereby reducing mass and increasing
packaging flexibility.
    "We are pleased to be working with Volkswagen on electric power steering
for the Lupo," stated Jean de Montlaur, managing director of Delphi's steering
division in Europe.  "E-STEER(TM)'s sophisticated, fully-electric design will
bring many benefits to Volkswagen's customers including added fuel economy,
added safety, improved acceleration and dependability."
    With fuel prices soaring, fuel economy could be considered the primary
benefit of this system.  E-STEER(TM) helps improve a vehicle's fuel economy by
an average of five percent compared with a traditional hydraulic steering
system.  The VW Lupo, noted for its high fuel economy performance, gets
approximately 3 liters (diesel) per 100 kilometers with the E-STEER(TM)
system.  The system's mileage impact by vehicle type ranges from .2 liters per
100 kilometers (1.3 miles per gallon) improvement for subcompact vehicles to
.16 liters per 100 kilometers  (0.45 miles per gallon) improvement for mid- to
large-size passenger vehicles.  In fact, the system's fuel efficiency
performance rivals that of a manual steering system.
    On the environmental front, a system without any fluids means no leaks --
so related warranty concerns can be significantly reduced.  Additionally, all
of the materials needed for the pump, reservoir, belts, hoses and fluid won't
need to be used, disposed of, or recycled, making E-STEER(TM) more
environmentally friendly.
    The E-STEER(TM) system's steering effort is correlated to vehicle speed,
steering torque and steering position.  Delphi's advanced algorithms, or
mathematical formulas, turn these vehicle inputs into world-class steering
feel.
    "This totally electric steering system provides the same level of comfort
and control that drivers throughout the world demand, while eliminating many
of the trade-offs inherent in today's hydraulic steering systems," states Paul
Tosch, Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems president and Delphi vice president.
    Some of the advanced features of Delphi's E-STEER(TM) system can actually
help enhance the returnability characteristics of the steering with its
assisted return-to-center feature.  Assisted return-to-center allows the
suspension designer more latitude in setting parameters -- no longer does the
designer have to make suspension trade-offs to achieve the necessary
returnability characteristics.
    "State-of-the-art electronics, including sensor and controller
technologies, have dramatically improved our ability to enhance the
performance of our steering systems," said de Montlaur.  "The expertise we
have gained from engineering and manufacturing E-STEER(TM) will allow Delphi
to aggressively move forward in the development of future electronics-based,
integrated chassis systems."