During a ceremony held yesterday in Detroit, BorgWarner received an Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award for its collaboration with General Motors (GM) on the Eco-Launch solenoid valve. The innovative technology helps deliver improved fuel economy and performance at significantly lower cost than alternative systems. Several patents are pending for the innovation, and GM has already committed to using the technology on an upcoming vehicle. BorgWarner's innovation also received a 2014 Automotive News PACE Award.
"Stop/start systems increase fuel economy 3 to 10 percent, depending on driving patterns. BorgWarner's Eco-Launch solenoid valve is a cost-effective solution that enables current automatic transmission designs to function well with stop/start strategies. This allows automakers to expand stop/start capabilities across a broad range of vehicles quickly and economically," said Robin Kendrick, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems. "We are very pleased to share this PACE Innovation Partnership Award with GM and proud to receive our eighth PACE Award in just 10 years. These awards symbolize the entrepreneurial spirit of the many BorgWarner and GM employees who develop and produce important innovations for drivers around the world."
Stop/start systems increase fuel economy by turning the engine off when the vehicle stops. However, when the driver accelerates from the stop mode, current stop/start systems can cause vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions to hesitate before engaging. BorgWarner's solenoid experts developed an exceptionally low-noise, high-flow, low-leak solenoid valve with a hydraulic accumulator to prime the transmission in as little as 0.33 seconds, achieving quick hydraulic pressure for smooth launches when the engine restarts. Specifically designed for easy integration, the technology allows automakers to upgrade existing automatic transmissions—including dual-clutch, stepped automatic and continuously variable transmissions—to expand stop/start capabilities across their vehicle lineup.
Recognized around the world as a symbol of excellence, the annual Automotive News PACE Awards acknowledge automotive suppliers for superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance. PACE stands for Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence. The 20th annual PACE Award winners were chosen based on a comprehensive written application, site visit and extensive review by industry, academic and business leaders. BorgWarner's Eco-Launch™ solenoid valve was named a winner in the product category, which recognizes innovations in new products, services or their development that have significant market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive industry.
With eight PACE Awards, five PACE Innovation Partnership Awards and one PACE Environmental Award since 2005, BorgWarner has become one of the most decorated companies in the history of the awards competition.
