BorgWarner Delivers Advanced Technologies For New GM 8-Speed Transmission

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BorgWarner supplies Eco-Launch™ stop/start accumulator technology and multi-segment wet friction plates for the new 8-speed rear-wheel drive automatic transmission (8L45) from General Motors. To enable the transmission's stop/start functionality, BorgWarner's Eco-Launch hydraulic accumulator and solenoid valve provide rapid, quiet and smooth engagements during engine restarts. BorgWarner's advanced friction plate technology reduces drag and enhances shift feel. Improving fuel economy up to 5 percent compared with similar 6-speed automatic transmissions, the 8L45 transmission will debut on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 and will also drive the 2016 Cadillac CTS and ATS.

"BorgWarner's leading transmission technologies deliver seamless shifts and smooth launches with the added benefit of improved fuel economy," said Robin Kendrick, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems. "Collaborating with GM on our latest friction plate solutions and ground-breaking innovations, such as our Eco-Launch stop/start accumulator, puts new technology on the road quickly. We are pleased to support GM in introducing another important transmission technology to the market."

Stop/start systems increase fuel economy by turning the engine off when the vehicle stops. For quick acceleration from the stop mode, BorgWarner's accumulator and Eco-Launch solenoid valve quickly re-prime the transmission in less than 0.3 seconds, the time it takes the driver to switch from the brake to the accelerator. The exceptionally low-noise, high-flow, low-leak solenoid valve opens against large accumulator pressures and stays closed against high line pressures. The technology earned BorgWarner an Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award for its collaboration with GM as well as a 2014 Automotive News PACE Award.

BorgWarner's multi-segment wet friction plate technology features full-depth grooves cut between segments of proprietary friction material. The groove patterns and material are engineered for each specific application to optimize the clutch for low drag which improves fuel economy, provides seamless shifts for better performance and delivers durability that exceeds the life of the transmission. Utilizing advanced processing capabilities and intricate groove designs, BorgWarner's latest friction plate technology is proving successful under a widening range of operating conditions and offers the same benefits in torque converter applications. This technology was first introduced on GM's Hydra-Matic 8L90 in the 2015 Corvette Stingray and Z06, and will now be featured in the new 8L45 automatic transmission for various platforms.

BorgWarner produces its multi-segment wet friction plates in Bellwood, Illinois, and its accumulator and Eco-Launch solenoid valves in Water Valley, Mississippi. To meet growing demand, BorgWarner is investing in both plants to improve efficiency and expand capacity.

About BorgWarner
BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for powertrains around the world. Operating manufacturing and technical facilities in 57 locations in 18 countries, the company delivers innovative powertrain solutions to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance performance. For more information, please visit borgwarner.com.

BorgWarner supplies multi-segment wet friction plates, hydraulic accumulators and Eco-Launch™ solenoid valves for GM's new Hydra-Matic 8L45 automatic transmission. These advanced technologies contribute to improved shift feel and increased fuel economy.

Statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management's current outlook, expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "continues," "could," "designed," "effect," "estimates," "evaluates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "initiative," "intends," "outlook," "plans," "potential," "project," "pursue," "seek," "should," "target," "when," "would," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, projected or implied in or by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: fluctuations in domestic or foreign vehicle production, the continued use by original equipment manufacturers of outside suppliers, fluctuations in demand for vehicles containing our products, changes in general economic conditions, as well as other risks noted reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors identified in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. We do not undertake any obligation to update or announce publicly any updates to or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150918/268180

SOURCE BorgWarner Inc.

Related Links

http://www.borgwarner.com