BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 1, 2007– Tenneco Inc., manufacturer of Monroe® shock absorbers, and Gillet® and Walker® exhaust systems, catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters, is supplying the Ford S-Max, the European 2007 Car of the Year. The 2007 Car of the Year award recognizes the most outstanding new car to go on sale in Europe over the past 12 months.
Ford used Tenneco's Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension System (CES) to develop its Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) Active Suspension System on the S-Max. Tenneco also supplies the full hot-end exhaust system including catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter for all diesel models, and the rear exhaust system, or cold-end, for the entire model range.
“We're very pleased that Tenneco's flagship technologies, our electronic suspension and advanced diesel after treatment systems, are featured on this vehicle,” said Gregg Sherrill, chairman and CEO, Tenneco. “Our advanced emission control and suspension systems are helping OEMs meet stricter air quality standards, expand diesel vehicle offerings and respond to consumer demand for better handling vehicles and ride comfort.”
The challenge for conventional shock absorbers on a vehicle like the Ford S-max, which combines functionality with sports performance, is providing both comfort and handling. Conventional shock absorbers can be tuned to optimize either characteristic, but not both, resulting in a compromise to either comfort or handling. Tenneco's CES system continuously adjusts damping levels according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics, such as speed, turning and cornering as well as driver inputs. The system enhances dynamic stability, particularly under critical driving situations and helps avoid excessive vehicle body movements. Additionally, it reduces the impact of road vibrations on the driver, providing a more comfortable ride overall. Handling and vehicle stability are improved without sacrificing comfort.
Volvo used the Tenneco continuously controlled electronic suspension technology to develop its continuously controlled chassis concept, Four-C. In addition, Volvo offers Four-C as an option on its S60, V70, XC70 and S80 vehicles. Tenneco also supplies the system as an option on the Audi A6, Audi A6 Avant and Audi Allroad and will start production for a second major European OEM later this year. The Ford S-Max also features Tenneco's Gillet® branded diesel particulate filter. When exhaust gases carrying particulate matter flow through a filter's substrate walls, matter is trapped and collected in the filter media. After achieving a critical soot loading, regeneration begins and the soot is burned off supported by a fuel borne additive or a catalytic coating on the filter itself.
Tenneco was one of the first global suppliers to offer both additive and catalyst-coated diesel particulate filter technologies in series production for Europe's vehicle manufacturers, helping to eliminating up to 99.9% of particulate matter. Tenneco first began production of OE diesel particulate filter technology in 2000 in conjunction with PSA Peugeot-Citroën for the Citroën C5 and Peugeot 406 diesel passenger vehicles. Today the company supplies DPF for DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class and CLK passenger cars, Jaguar S-TYP, VW Sharan and the Audi A6 and A4. The company also continues to supply PSA on its new Peugeot 407, Peugeot 807, Citroën C5 and C8, Fiat Ulysse and Lancia Phedra models.
enneco Inc. is a $4.7 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco Inc. is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Inc. markets its products principally under the Monroe®, Walker®, Gillet™ and Clevite®Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Tracâ and Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Ranchoâ shock absorbers, Walkerâ Quiet-Flow® mufflers, Dynomaxâ performance exhaust products, and Clevite®Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.
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