01/19/2012

• Innovative technology for start-stop systems wins ADAC "Gelber Engel" award in the "Innovation and Environment" category.
• Start-stop systems even more efficient and smooth with Continental's new back-up energy storage system.

Munich/Regensburg, January 19, 2012. The international automotive supplier Continental was today presented with an ADAC "Gelber Engel" mobility award for its development of an innovative energy storage system for cars. The system won third prize in the "Innovation and Environment" category.

The "E-Booster" is a high-performance electronic system which allows start-stop systems to work even more efficiently and smoothly. It also ensures that on-board equipment such as air-conditioning, audio or navigation systems remain fully functional even when a large of power amount is needed to restart the engine. "We are delighted that this innovative development was honored by the jury. The award is a great tribute to our efforts to further improve the environmental impact of the automobile," said Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chairman of the Continental Executive Board, at the award ceremony in Munich today.

ADAC

The prize winners in the category "Innovation" (left to right: Presented by Dr. Reinhard Kolke (ADAC), Dr. Elmar Degenhart (Continental), Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg (Volkswagen), Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber (Daimler AG))

E-Booster: more efficient, smoother start-stop performance

Start-stop systems, also known as micro-hybrids, are one of the most cost-effective technical means for achieving a substantial reduction in fuel consumption – and therefore emissions – in everyday driving. By automatically shutting down the engine when the vehicle is stationary, for example at a red light, they can bring fuel savings of up to 15 percent in mainly urban driving. Start-stop systems that use a starter-generator, as featured for example on the e-HDi models of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group, provide quicker, smoother starting. The starter-generator combines the starter and alternator in one unit. Its advantage over conventional starter technology is that it brings engines, particularly diesels, up to idling speed much faster when restarting, and with virtually no noise or vibration. The benefits of such smooth and instantaneous starting are not only greater comfort and convenience but also added safety, because the moment the vehicle restarts from an automatic stop, the driver can merge safely and fluently even into dense traffic.

Such super-fast restarting is only possible if the vehicle electrical system is capable of supplying very large amounts of power very fast, at any time. This is where Continental's back-up energy storage system comes in. "This new technology for storing electrical energy in cars uses a supercapacitor to support the conventional battery. The supercapacitor requires only a few seconds for recharge. This means it is possible to take advantage of even very brief opportunities to turn off the engine," says Dr. Carsten Götte, Program Manager for Vehicle Electrical System Stabilization at Continental Powertrain.

This back-up power ensures that even during starting, systems like the air conditioning or the electric windows continue to work normally, the radio doesn't miss a beat and the navigation system stays on track. As the only manufacturer of a system of this type at the present time, Continental has further extended its lead in the field of powertrain electrification.

The ADAC "Gelber Engel" mobility award

The ADAC "Gelber Engel" awards are presented annually to individuals, groups and companies who have helped to make mobility safer, more environmentally compliant or more consumer-friendly. They span five categories: "Car", "Quality", "Innovation and Environment", "Future" and "Personality". With the presentation ceremony attended by leading figures from business, industry, media and government, the "Gelber Engel" award, now into its eighth year, is regarded as one of the most important of its kind in the automotive industry. This is not the first time Continental has received this award. In 2009, the international automotive supplier won a “Gelber Engel” for its development work on the lithium-ion battery.